Nicolas Colsaerts's Ryder Cup hopes were still intact after day one of the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.
The Belgian needs to finish first or second if he is to make it into Jose Maria Olazabal's team for next month's tournament.
Despite being tied for third, Colsaerts was just two shots off the lead on three-under-par following a round of 69.
Australia's Brett Rumford and Norwegian Knutt Borsheim currently occupy the top of the leaderboard on five-under.
Meanwhile, England's Mark Foster is one of five players tied for second on four-under.
