• Mallorca Open, First Round

Kingston masters Mallorca with 65

James Kingston handled the windy conditions brilliantly to card an opening round of 65 © Getty Images

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James Kingston negotiated tough conditions to claim the clubhouse lead after shooting a superb 65 on day one.

The South African, searching for his first win on the European Tour since last year's Mercedes Benz Championship, remained unflappable as the wind swept through Pula Golf Course, to finish his opening round on five-under-par.

Kingston, with a highest finish this season so far of tied 38th at the Dubai Desert Classic, struck six birdies in a round that, remarkably, only contained one bogey.

Alvaro Velasco was out on his own in second place after carding an encouraging three-under 67, although it could have been even better had two bogeys on the back nine not halted the Spaniard's charge.

Thorbjorn Olesen is well positioned on two-under and the Dane has Raphael Jacquelin and Ireland's Gary Murphy for company. After a flawless start, Olesen looked to have lost his composure as he made three bogeys in four holes but four consecutive pars ensured a solid finish.

Alejandro Canizares was the fourth man to tie for third. After notching 10 consecutive pars, the Spaniard struck a bogey and two birdies to leave him among the chasing pack.

Chris Wood was left to rue two bogeys in an otherwise mature round of one-under. The Englishman bogeyed his first and ninth but found consistency on the back nine - parring the last eight holes. He will be hoping he can find the form he showed at the recent Italian Open, where he tied for third.

Scotland's Jamie McLeary had to settle for par after an inconsistent round. The 29-year-old began brightly, recording two birdies from his first three holes, but four bogeys at regular intervals tarnished his good work.

Robert Coles had a turbulent back nine to finish the day on two-over. Having gone out in 34, where he didn't drop a shot, the Englishman bogeyed three en-route back to the clubhouse to sign off with a disappointing 72.

Denmark's Soren Hansen was another to struggle in the swirling wind. The 36-year-old, who was part of the losing European Ryder Cup in 2008, hit a one-over 71 to leave him six shots behind the leader.

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