Nicolas Colsaerts hits 62 to fly into early lead at KLM Open

European Tour big-hitter Nicolas Colsaerts equalled his lowest score on the circuit with an opening eight-under-par 62 in the KLM Dutch Open at Hilversum.

The 27-year-old from Brussels birdied five of the last six holes for an inward 29 and a two-stroke lead over English playing partner Kenneth Ferrie and Indian Shiv Kapur. Scottish pair Richie Ramsay and Alastair Forsyth both sit three off the lead after opening 65s

Three members of Europe's Ryder Cup team are using the event as part of their preparation for Celtic Manor and Irish Open champion Ross Fisher did best with a 65 - helped by holing a bunker shot for an eagle three on the 499-yard 18th.

German Martin Kaymer, returning to action four weeks after becoming golf's newest major champion at the US PGA, had a 67, while Italian Francesco Molinari shot 68.

Colsaerts, who leads the Tour's driving distance category this season with an average of almost 309 yards, has made six trips to the qualifying school since turning professional a decade ago.

But he graduated from the "second division" Challenge Tour for the second time last year and, at 68th on the money list, this is shaping up to be his best season.

"I have been working quite a bit on my putting and it's a lot easier when you are playing well rather than when you have your back against the wall," he said.

Ferrie's five-year exemption for winning the 2005 European Open expires in November and the 31-year-old is precariously placed at 110th on the standings. Only the top 115 keep their cards.

A birdie-eagle at 17 and 18 was welcome indeed then for the Northumberland player - and it meant that with a 64 he also matched his career low round.

Kapur, the 28-year-old son of a New Delhi stockbroker, also picked up three shots in the last two holes. Alongside Ramsay, Forysth and Fisher in joint fourth place are fellow Englishman Nick Dougherty, Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin, Dutchman Joost Luiten, Portugal's Jose-Filipe Lima and Argentina's Tano Goya.

Among those one further back is 2004 Open champion Todd Hamilton, who after losing his card in America has made only one halfway cut in six European Tour starts. He pitched in for a two on the 343-yard second and finished with another eagle. South African Louis Oosthuizen, winner of the Claret Jug this July, struggled to a three-over 73.

l A stunning back nine of 31, capped by a birdie-eagle finish, saw Frenchman Christophe Brazillier surge to the top of the leaderboard on the opening day of the Kazakhstan Open.

Brazillier compiled a stunning eight under par round of 64 to finish day one of the €400,000 event with a one stroke lead over Sweden's Magnus A Carlsson - who came home in 29 - and in-form Australian Daniel Gaunt. Scotland's Scot Jamieson shot a 69.