Anders Hansen battled against a strong wind and a stiff neck share the early clubhouse lead in the Dutch Open with a six-under-par 65 at the Kennemer course. Christian Cevaer later matched the 65.

Paul McGinley and Paul Broadhurst, two players fighting for Ryder Cup places, were among the afternoon starters.

Without the advantage of a practice round, Hansen, the 2002 European PGA champion, relied on a new set of clubs and a hot putter to share the lead.

With just days to go before he flies out to play in the final major of the season, the US PGA Championship, Hansen hopes his neck pain will go away before he tackles Medinah.

"I just woke up with the bad neck yesterday," Hansen told reporters. "I wanted to play the course because I'd never seen it before but I could only chip, so I had to withdraw from the pro-am.

"I had it treated by the physios but it still isn't good. I hope it's going to get better over the next days." Hansen included three 20ft birdie putts and a 10-footer for eagle on his card.

Cevaer, the 2004 Canaries Open winner, is fighting to keep his tour card with his exemption running out at the end of the season.    He gave himself chance to move up from 114th on the European money-list with a faultless card containing six birdies.

One of the tournament favourites, Colin Montgomerie, also warming up for Medinah after taking a break since missing the cut in the British Open, had a disappointing run home for a round of 70, dropping two shots on his back nine, including a bogey on  the last.

The eight-times European number one reverted back to a belly-putter after nearly two years but found little success with it.

"There wasn't anything wrong with the putter," Montgomerie said. "I just didn't hole any putts."

Montgomerie played with last week's champion and fellow-Scot Marc Warren but it was not a good morning for the maiden winner in Sweden who shot a 76.