It would seem appropriate top Dutsch golfer Joost Luiten, and the highest world ranked player in the field, should be leading the way after day one in a return to European Tour competition at the Austrian Open.

Luiten also began his quest for a second Austrian Open title with a seven under par 65 for a stroke lead on the Diamond Country Club and located some 35 miles from Vienna.

Both the 2020 Race to Dubai and 2020 Road to Mallorca were suspended on March 8 due the global coronavirus pandemic, with this week’s dual-ranking event marking the restart of both Tours almost four months to the day after the stoppage.

Joost Luiten shows the way with a 65 on day one of the Austrian Open.

The No. 104th ranked Luiten won his second European Tour title at this very venue in 2013 and channelled his fond memories of this course as he birdied five of the first seven holes.

The 34-year-old Dutchman then birdied three of his four closing holes to move one ahead of the Scottish duo of Marc Warren and Craig Howie.

“I’ve got good memories here. For some reason I like this place, I’ve played well here a few times,” he said.

“It’s good to come back after a four-month break and have my game in order and shoot seven under. A lot of us didn’t know where we stood with our games, it’s good to have a fast start and bring in a good score.

“Everything was working well. I hit it well off the tee, didn’t miss many greens, holed a couple of putts and hit my irons close. Just one bogey – you have to keep the mistakes off your card here because it’s a tricky golf course if you’re out of position. I stayed in position a lot and made some nice birdies.

“Tournament golf: you don’t lose it. It’s still the same as before. On the outside there’s a couple of changes, but when you’re out there you have to hit the shots, stay focused, stay patient and play your own game.”