Ferrie sailing well in Holland

An eagle on the 18th gave England’s Kenneth Ferrie an opening round of six under par at the KLM Open in Hilversum, but it was playing partner Nicolas Colsaerts who claimed the early clubhouse lead.

The Belgian came home in 29, claiming six birdies in his back nine including one on each of the final three holes for an eight-under round of 62 and a two-stroke lead.

Ferrie, still not assured of retaining his card for next season, led a strong British challenge in the early stages of the tournament in Holland.

Scotland’s Richie Ramsay’s faultless round of five under, including four consecutive birdies from the 14th, put him in a six-way tie for third, which also included compatriot Alastair Forsyth as well as Englishmen Ross Fisher and Nick Dougherty.

Fisher’s Ryder Cup team-mates Francesco Molinari and Martin Kaymer, playing his first tournament since claiming the USPGA title last month, were among the later starters.

Both were one under in the early stages of their rounds.

Italian teenager Matteo Manassero went round in 68 to lie two under, while another impressive youngster, New Zealand’s Danny Lee, was one under after four.

It proved to be a day to forget for Open champion Louis Oosthuizen, who was 11 shots off the pace at three over for his round, while England’s Simon Dyson parred every hole to sit eight shots back.

Irish duo Peter Lawrie and Simon Thornton were both in the clubhouse on one under, with Darren Clarke two under by hole six.