Five players, including crestfallen former Ryder Cup star Oliver Wilson of England, share the lead with rounds of 64 on day one of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland.

Wilson was at the Kingsbarns course grabbing an eagle and six birdies in bright but windy conditions to make the most of a sponsor’s invitation into the $5m event.

Joining Wilson shooting an eight under par score at Kingbarns was compatriot Tom Lewis while countryman Richard McEvoy, also competing on an invitation, posted  64 on the Old Course at St. Andrews.

Making up the top five is Chile’s Mark Tullo and Frenchman Alexandre Kaleka who played alongside each other, and who between them recorded 16 birdies in their similar scores of 64.

Wilson competed in the 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla but after nine second place finishes in a three-year stretch from 2006 and 2009, the now 33-year old then lost his Tour card at the end of the 2011 season.

Since then Wilson has plied his trade on the secondary Challenge Tour in the hope of making his way back onto the main Tour.

“I’ve been playing a lot better but for the first time in probably over a year actually, I have some control over my shots and I’m able to hit the shots and trust it under pressure, as well,” he said.

“I was second in this event in 2009 but then didn’t play last year so it was nice of Dunhill and Johann (Rupert) to present me with an invitation to this event.

“We’ve played some good courses the last few weeks on the Challenge Tour and I’ve played well, and that’s built my confidence and I have a chance now to earn back my card in a few various ways.

“So the game is improving all the time and everything’s settled down and moving in the right direction.”

Kaleka capped his round with four straight birdies from his fourth hole as he looks to secure a first Tour victory drawing on the recent success of his fellow French-born players.

“It’s been a great month for French golf with Gregory Bourdy winning the Wales Open and Julien Quesne winning last week’s Italian Open,” said the 26-year old Paris-born golfer.

“As well, Romain Wattel was well up there last week and I finished joint second in the Russian Open in the week after the British Open, so all is good with French golf at the moment.

“But today was very special for me as I have played the Old Course many times before as an amateur in the St. Andrews Links Trophy but this 64 is my lowest round.”

A further five players are tied in sixth position just one shot behind including recent Johnnie Walker Championship winner Tommy Fleetwood.