Spanish rookie leads Austrian Open

Atzenbrugg - Spanish rookie Adrian Otaegui carved out a two-shot lead after the first round of the Austrian Open on Thursday thanks to an impressive eight-under 64 at the Diamond Country Club in Atzenbrugg.

The qualifying school graduate enjoyed birdies at the third, seventh, eighth and ninth holes followed by three successive gains from the 14th and another on the 18th.

Sweden's Bjorn Akesson is two shots behind, with France's Gary Stal and Zander Lombard of South Africa a stroke further back on five under.

"I'm hoping now I can play four days in the same way so that's the main goal," said Otaegui. "The course is pretty hard and it's not easy to get the ball close to the pin so I'm pretty pleased with it."

Defending champion Chris Wood of England was three under after 13 but dropped three shots either side of another birdie at seven for a one under 71.