Richard Mansell gets off to a fine start in Austria

The 25-year-old, who is playing his first full season on the European Tour, carded a three under par score of 69 to end day one tied for sixth, two shots behind leader Alejandro Canizares.

Mansell eagled the par five first at the Diamond Country Club in Atzenbrugg during a round that also included three birdies and two bogeys.

Former world number one Martin Kaymer was one shot off the lead after shooting a 68.

The German, currently ranked 99, carded six birdies in a four-under-par score at the Diamond Country Club to join a three-way tie for second place.

American John Catlin and Sweden’s Rikard Karlberg also signed for rounds of 68.

Canizares benefited from an eagle and four birdies in his 67, with his only blemish around the course at Atzenbrugg, near Vienna, being a bogey at the par-four 12th.

Kaymer, who started on the back nine in chilly conditions early in the day, picked up birdies in three of his first five holes but dropped a shot on the 17th. It was a similar story after the turn, with birdies at the first, second and fourth but a bogey at the sixth.

The 36-year-old, who is hoping to force his way into Ryder Cup contention, said: “It was OK. I think the biggest battle was the cold.

“In general the golf course played well and the conditions are pretty nice, the greens are good. I didn’t make many mistakes. Four under was a decent start.”

Shropshire’s Ashley Chesters endured a tough day, shooting a four over par 76 while former Luldow professional Oliver Farr was two shots better off after a 74.