FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD:
-7 S Hansen (Den) -6 C Wood (Eng) -5 D Drysdale (Sco), J Kingston (SA), S Strange (Aus), R Fisher (Eng) -4 Pl Lawrie (Sco), S Dyson (Eng), F Molinari (Ita) Selected others: -3 S Dodd (Wal), S Kjeldsen (Den), N Dougherty (Eng), L Westwood (Eng) -2 D Clarke (NI)

Two birdies and an eagle in the last six holes put Hansen in control

Denmark's Soren Hansen carded a seven-under par 65 to open up a one-shot lead after day one of the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Germany.

England's Chris Wood lies second, one ahead of David Drysdale, Ross Fisher, James Kingston and Scott Strange.

Wood, whose round turned on a run of birdies from the 11th to 13th holes, was on course to be overnight leader.

But an eagle three at the 13th followed by birdies at the 15th and 17th helped Hansen end the day in top spot.

Welshman Stephen Dodd set the early pace, going four under after 10 holes, before a three-putt bogey on the short 11th cost him a shot, with another one going after he found a bunker on the 16th.

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A drive into the rough at the final hole threatened to cost him another shot but he pitched to five feet and saved par to end the day three-under.

"Conditions were just perfect and I think there's a good score out there," he said.

"I feel like I left a few on the course and it was a bit disappointing in that respect.

"My form's suffered over the last six or seven years for whatever reason. It comes and goes and if we knew the reason why we would all be millionaires."

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