Fisher's nine under was the lowest round of his European Tour career

England's Ross Fisher hit a course record nine-under-par 63 in the opening round of the European Open to take a two-shot lead at The London Club.

In windy conditions, the 27-year-old finished with six successive birdies to break Seve Ballesteros' course record.

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell and 48-year-old South African David Frost are two behind on seven under.

Defending champion Colin Montgomerie shot 70 while Padraig Harrington was on level par despite having a stiff neck.

"I would not have played this week if I had been truly injured, but it takes a long time to get the freedom back," said the Open champion.

Northern Ireland's McIlroy, 19, eagled the 15th to claim fourth spot with a 67, while Ireland's Paul McGinley was six under with two to play, but a double-bogey on the 17th saw him finish with a three-under 69.

Darren Clarke, who like McGinley is striving to finish in the top five to qualify for the Open, shot a 71 and is one under along with Sergio Garcia.

"A little bit surreal" was how Fisher described the lowest round of his Tour career.

"On the front nine the hole seemed as big as a bucket," added the Surrey man, who came through the 36-hole Open qualifier at Sunningdale on Monday.

"I was feeling pretty tired, but how do you pull out of an event when you live only 40 minutes away?

"It's pretty difficult to sit at home and watch it on TV, knowing that you are playing well. So I thought, 'Let's see how we go'. Have a few days off and if I feel fine I'll play."

Fisher made 10 birdies in all and only a bogey on the short 17th slightly marred what was an impeccable round, which included a huge drive on the 448-yard ninth that came up 20 yards short of the green.

Meanwhile, McDowell fell out of the top 10 on the Ryder Cup standings last Sunday but the first prize of �400,000 at Kent could take him to sixth.

"I've not looked at the table for weeks - I know I've got to perform and all I can do is focus on day by day," said the Northern Ireland golfer after his promising first round.

"I'm feeling mentally and physically fit and I'm not spending much time on the range. You pinpoint what you need to work on, get rest and stay off the Guinness on the weeks off.

"The race is only just beginning now we're into the meat and bones of the season."

England's Oliver Wilson suffered a blow to his Ryder Cup hopes when he was forced to pull out of the tournament because of tendinitis in his left shoulder.