Murphy joint leader after opening 64

IRELAND'S Gary Murphy, Scot Alastair Forsyth and Welshman Jamie Donaldson, who all carded rounds of 64, six under par, are the joint leaders in the £715,000 Dutch Open, with Swede Fredrik Widmark and English duo David Lynn and David Carter a shot behind.

But Zimbabwe's Tony Johnstone spared everyone the sight of him running naked across the 18th green after an excellent start in his bid to secure his own 25-year streak on the European Tour.

Johnstone has been a popular figure on the circuit since 1980, winning six tournaments, but his exemption from the last of those victories, in Qatar in 2001, runs out at the end of the season. The 47-year-old is currently a lowly 176th on the Order of Merit and needs to climb into the top 115 in the remaining three events to secure his card for next season.

Having won just £31,917 this season after battling a mystery virus and missing the cut in 15 of his last 16 events, even the second prize of £77,000 would not be good enough.

A victory would, of course, secure a two-year exemption and after a first round 66 left him two shots off the lead Johnstone said: "It's a great feeling, my first round under par for about seven months.

"After the year I've had I thought the only way I was going to get interviewed was by streaking across the 18th green and my ginger bum is not a pretty sight!

"The feeling really is win or bust. I have started hitting it a little better recently and this is my kind of course, it's tree-lined and not very long so this is my chance really.

"I've had this weird virus which had really knocked me for six. I've not been able to finish 18 holes, I run out of steam after 12 holes.

"They've finally diagnosed what it is, I'm still a bit short of energy but at least I can enjoy it again and feel like I can hit it more than 200 yards."

Johnstone carded six birdies and two bogeys.

Carter is another of the players battling to retain their card for next season, the 31-year-old lying 133rd on the Order of Merit.

He won the Irish Open in a play-off with Colin Montgomerie in 1998 and the World Cup for England with Nick Faldo the same year, but has a philosophical approach despite struggling to rediscover such form since.

"It's not a matter of life or death," said Carter, who is now based in Gothenburg with his fiancee Therese, the sister of fellow pro Fredrik Jacobson, and four-month old son Leo.

"It's just a game of golf and if I have to go back to the qualifying school , so be it. I feel I'm a good enough player to get through this, Lee Westwood has done it and a lot of good players have bad times and come back."

Meanwhile, Sandy Lyle, who has held a tour card since 1977, looks like having to rely on invitations next season after struggling to a five-over 75.

The former Open and US Masters champion will be playing just one more tournament as he tries to climb from 142nd on the money list.