Shiv Kapur 10th after a strong start in Italian Open

The other Indian challenger in the field, SSP Chowrasia did not have a good day as he carded a one-under 71 to be tied 80th.

The field was led by Swede Joel Sjoholm who put two missed cuts behind him to lead after the first round.

The 27-year-old Swede, who missed the weekend by a single shot in both Switzerland and The Netherlands the last two weeks, will take a one-shot lead into the second round after a fine eight-under 64.

Kapur, starting on the 10th, birdied four in a row from 11th to 14th and then added a fifth birdie on 17th to go five-under for the first nine.

He had his only bogey on seventh and a final birdie on ninth for a 67.

Chowrasia had three birdies on front nine on the fifth, eighth and ninth holes and two bogeys on 12th and 15th on the back stretch.

Defending champion Robert Rock opened with a two-under 70, while Francesco Molinari's 68 was the best score of those heading to The Ryder Cup in a fortnight's time.