Olazabal finds form

The 43-year-old Spaniard, whose appearances the last three years have been limited by rheumatism, birdied five of his first six holes to close the gap on playing partner Paul Lawrie.

Former Open champion Lawrie led by one after an opening five under par 67 - and he kept his name at the top of the leaderboard by going to the turn in 34 with birdies at the 12th and 13th.

Olazabal was two behind, but Lawrie did have company when Indian Shiv Kapur sunk a 90-yard pitch for an eagle three on the 533-yard 18th.

There was also a move from Ryder Cup Dane Soren Hansen, who matched Lawrie's back nine to move into joint third place with Olazabal.

Another making his presence felt was 19-year-old New Zealander Danny Lee, playing his first event in Europe since becoming the circuit's youngest-ever winner in Australia in February.

Lee, who turned professional after The Masters in April and has based himself in the States since then, had six birdies in his first 13 holes - but there were also three bogeys and so he was in the group on four under.

Olazabal has not had a top 10 finish in Europe since 2006, but he did finish sixth in the US Tour's Verizon Heritage tournament at Hilton Head in April.

Since then, however, he has been suffering more pain in his shoulder, back and leg and admits he cannot practice as much as he would like to.

"Sometimes I feel my situation is improving and I look at the future brightly, but when you have setbacks it's pretty much starting all over again and that hurts," he said.