Edoardo Molinari, Alejandro Canizares and English trio Tom Murray, Matthew Southgate and Paul Waring share the lead after all shooting opening round 66s at Himmerland Golf & Spa Resort on Thursday.

Victorian Lucas Herbert and West Australian Jason Scrivener are both just three shots off the pace after they both carded 69s in the first round.

Wallace was well placed in a five-way tie for sixth place after continuing the form he showed in finishing third at the US PGA Championship at Bethpage last week.

After making four birdies – including a tap-in at the short, picture-book 16th – in his first nine holes, Wallace could only add one more on his back nine.

The Englishman is seeking his fifth win in two years on the European Tour. He almost collected it two weeks ago, only to drop out of the lead on the last day of the British Masters and finish in a tie for second place.