Sergio Garcia created a bogey-free beginning to the KLM Open to get within two shots of their first lead in Amsterdam.
The former Masters winner published four birdies in a blemish-free 68 to sit at the group on four under and two strokes straight from leader Callum Shinkwin.
Garcia, looking to join with the likes of Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal as champions of the event, began on the back nine opened with birdies on his way .
Even the European Tour winner holed a 30-footer in the par-four first and wrapped in a 15-footer in the eighth to close the gap on Shinkwin, who birdied two of his final three holes to post a six-under 66 and also top the leaderboard.
“Conditions got a tiny bit trickier within the last six or seven holes, so that I was quite happy with this,” Garcia said. “I will continue working hard like I’ve already been doing and hopefully I’ll have an opportunity this weekend”
126th at the Race to Dubai, shinkwin, reached the turn in 32 courtesy of one, three birdies and an eagle lost shot.
English trio Chris Paisley, Sam Horsfield and Matthew Southgate sit a shot off the rate on five below alongside Scotland’s Marc Warren, Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard and Malaysia’s Gavin Green, using one time leader James Morrison in the team two off the pace with Garcia.
Defending champion Wu Ashun is below alongside house favourite Joost Luiten, that recovered from being three-over-par at the flip to get within three of the guide, while Patrick Reed submitted a 72.
View the KLM Open live on Sky Sports. Live policy continues on Friday from 10.30am via the red button on Sky Sports Golf.
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