Day one of the European Individual Championship for Golfers with Disability took place under perfect conditions at The Dutch in the Netherlands.
The biennial event, played alternatively with the European Team Championship for Golfers with Disability, is being contested by 80 players from 20 different countries this week.
Despite little wind and sunny skies, the links-style layout still provided a difficult test to the players on Thursday, with no one finishing in the red numbers.
Two players did manage level-par rounds however, and are tied for the lead in the men's category. David Watts (RSA) and Charles-Henri Quelin (FRA) top the leaderboard after opening rounds of 71.
After reaching the turn one-over-par, the South African double-bogeyed the par-4 11th. He recovered spectacularly however, making birdie on all of his next three holes. Four pars on the tricky closing stretch earned him a night at the top of the leaderboard.
Quelin was the only other player to card the same score. A steady round with two birdies and two bogeys leaves him in a tie with Watts.
Three players are currently tied for third place. Conor Stone (Golf Ireland), Rene Schwenk (GER) and Bradley Smith (ENG) all returned scores of 73 (+2).
Defending champion, Juan Postigo (ESP), who's looking for third consecutive European individual title this week, opened with a round of 76 (+5) and sits five shots back.
In the ladies' competition, featuring 10 players from nine different countries, home players have set the pace.
Defending champion, and also in a quest for a third consecutive title this week, Daphne Van Houten (NED) leads the way after a round of 77 (+6).
She'll take a five-shot lead into the second round, with her closest challenger being compatriot, Marcella Neggers (NED) on +11.
Germany's Jennifer Sräga currently occupies the last podium position on +12.
In the seated category, contested by six wheelchair players this year, Richard Kluwen (NED) has also opened up a significant lead after the first round.
The defending champion carded a 92 (+21) and leads France's Melody Roccaz and Belgium's Graham Freeman by five shots.
