SuggestedLeadIn: Former Open champion Paul Lawrie shoots an opening round 61 to take the clubhouse lead at the KLM Open the Netherlands on Thursday (September 10)

Script: Former Open champion Paul Lawrie threatened to record the first 59 in European Tour history before settling for an impressive opening 61 at the KLM Open.

Starting from the 10th at Kennemer Golf Club, Lawrie carded an eagle and four birdies to race to the turn in 28 and picked up further shots on the second, sixth and seventh.

With the lowest round of his European Tour career, Lawrie held a two-shot lead over English trio James Morrison, David Horsey and Robert Rock, Dutch home favourite Joost Luiten and Argentina's Tani Goya.

Low scoring was the order of the day with Mikko Ilonen and Morten Orum Madsen three off the lead on six under, while 2014 Ryder Cup captains Paul McGinley - who was playing alongside Lawrie - and Tom Watson both shot 69.