Hend recorded seven birdies at Karen Country Club in Nairobi on Thursday but his fine round petered out as he racked up a couple of bogeys over the last four holes to end at four-under par, three off the lead.

The 47-year-old Hend found himself in a tie for 14th as Benjamin Herbert shrugged off a bogey on his first hole to card a seven-under 64 for the first-round lead at the European Tour event.

The Frenchman followed his slip at the 1st with four birdies in his next six holes to go one shot clear of six players tied for second.

Herbert picked up six birdies in all and an eagle three on the 12th to set the early pace.

He clinched the lead and broke clear of an eight-man tie for the lead with a birdie on the last.

Adrian Meronk, Sam Horsfield, Raphael Jacquelin, Bernd Ritthammer, Kalle Samooja, Calum Hill and Connor Syme all shot 65s.

Herbert has never won on the European Tour, having missed out in playoffs at three tournaments in 2019.

Maverick Antcliff, Australia's other player in the 156-man field, had a disappointing start, recording a three-over-par 74. leaving him in joint-132nd place.