Thomas Björn delighted the large home crowds by taking the early lead at the inaugural Made in Denmark.
The hosts’ most successful player made back to back birdies at the third and fourth, his 12th and 13th holes, to lead by two on four under par.
Björn chipped in from the edge of the third green and followed up with a tricky putt for another gain in windy conditions.
He led by two shots from India’s S. S. P Chowrasia and Felipe Aguilar of Chile, who were one clear of a large chasing pack.
The first European Tour event in Denmark since 2003 is being held at Himmerland Golf & Spa Resort, Europe’s largest golf resort.
Björn is bidding to make certain of his Ryder Cup place, having occupied an automatic qualifying spot since winning the Nedbank Golf Challenge in December last year.
The 43 year old dropped out of the European points list recently and is now relying on the world points list, but looks to have done enough to make the European team which will defend the trophy at Gleneagles in September.
Victory at Made in Denmark would make absolutely certain and Björn was determined to impress a sell out crowd, with more than 70,000 spectators expected at Himmerland Golf & Spa Resort, where Björn won his first event as a professional in 1995.
Bjorn opened with four straight pars before birdies at the 14th and 15th took him to the turn in 34.
