France’s Jacquelin claims course record
He has a three-shot lead over Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez, England's Phillip Archer and Scot Raymond Russell, who birdied his last six holes to be home in 29.
A six-strong group of players including English quartet Steve Webster, Brian Davis, David Gilford and Andrew Raitt were a shot further back on six under.
In total, 112 of the 156-strong field shot par or better. But Montgomerie failed to find his scoring touch on his return to action after three weeks enforced lay-off.
Montgomerie suffered the blues on the greens as the rest of the field put the course to the sword, only managing a two under par 70.
The former European number one injured his right hand when he tripped and fell in his hotel just hours before his first round in the Open championship last month.
He was advised not to play at all but decided to risk it, only to pull out after completing just seven holes at Royal St George's.
The 40-year-old has not played since, and although the injury has still not fully healed, he was keen to get back into competitive mode before next week's USPGA championship at Oak Hill.
He could only find three birdies however and said: "I was glad my hand did not suffer, that was the main thing, but I missed a number of putts and on a low scoring course like this, if you don't hole out you don't score.
"I've not putted well at all this year and I don't know why.
"The greens are very good so there are no excuses there. Unfortunately the problem is me. The course won't play any easier than this, ever.
"There will be a 62 every day and I hope I do one of them. I need one, it will probably take 25 or 26 under to win so two under is not a very good start," he said.
In contrast, Jacquelin carded eight birdies and an eagle despite failing to birdie two of the four reachable par fives, his girlfriend Fanny Chabre making a hugely successful debut as his caddie.
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