Australian Brett Rumford, the 2007 champion in the Alps, opened up a one-shot lead after the first round of the European Masters on Thursday after an impressive birdie blitz.

The 32-year-old from Perth overcame a slow start, when he dropped shots on the fourth and fifth holes, to card an eagle at the seventh which was followed by birdies at the sixth and ninth.

He added seven more birdies on the closing nine holes for a nine-under 62.

England's Simon Dyson, the Dutch Open champion last month, is a shot further back with Christian Nilsson, Alexander Noren, Andres Romero, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Danny Willett and Thongchai Jaidee all sharing third place, three shots off the pace.

"I got off to a shaky start in more ways than one," said Rumford, whose drive off the first tee was particularly wayward.

"I've no idea where that came off. When I won here I played great golf, but today I just got my putter running."

Both Thongchai and Dyson have previously won the Asian Tour Order of Merit, an appropriate statistic as this is the first ever event co-sanctioned by The European Tour and Asian Tour on European soil.

Thongchai began his chase for a third title of the season with a six-under-par 65.

The Asian Tour Order of Merit leader emerged as the leading Asian in the field following seven birdies and a lone bogey.

"I played very well on the front nine but the back nine is tough. I played solid and hit 16 greens and missed only three fairways. I'm very happy with a six-under round," said the Thai, Asia's number one in 2001 and 2004.

"I know the course now. If you play the course the first time, it's difficult to adjust to the altitude. But after you play it the second time and more, you will become better."

India's Jeev Milkha Singh, looking to put in a strong performance to impress Presidents Cup International Team captain Greg Norman, opened his campaign with a solid 68 and was matched by compatriot Shiv Kapur, Singapore's Lam Chih Bing and Thailand's Chapchai Nirat.

Singh was delighted with his opening round's effort, which included four birdies against a lone bogey. He is hoping to be one of the two wildcard picks for the Presidents Cup when Norman announces his selection next Tuesday.

"I played really well. I was rock solid and I was happy with how I played. I'm stroking it well and I hope to take advantage of the good greens tomorrow morning," said the Indian, last year's Asian Tour Order of Merit winner.