Sapa England’s Ross Fisher and Denmark’s Soren Hansen set the pace in the first round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship with superb eight-under-par 64s at Kingsbarns.

The sun came out and there was just a modest breeze which allowed good scoring on all three courses and contributed to a sparkling day’s golf.

Fisher, who did not quite make it into Nick Faldo’s European Ryder Cup team, and Hansen, who did play at Valhalla, crafted superb rounds, the key to their good scoring coming with terrific finishes.

Fisher, who won the European Open at the London Club in July, birdied the last three holes and said: “To take advantage of a day like this was just great and to do it in the fashion that I did it with a 64 was very pleasing. I thoroughly enjoy events like this. It was just a nice relaxed atmosphere. Obviously I am off to a great start, but there is also a long way to go.”

Hansen, who was playing with world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, did even better. He birdied the 7th and 8th, having started at the 10th, then hit a second shot to within a few inches on the par five 9th for an eagle.

He said: “It was a great experience but the Ryder Cup took a lot out of me. It’s just a case of trying to get back to your normal play and find some energy. I didn’t do much practice last week, but I’ve done a fair bit this week and I’m very pleased with my round.

“I really enjoyed Wladimir’s company. It was a nice relaxed atmosphere. I was afraid he was going to let it go on a few holes and break a few clubs, but in fact he seemed a very relaxed guy. But I certainly wouldn’t want to go in the ring with him. He’s a big house.

“I’m really looking forward to the next couple of days because you can learn from all champions and he’s definitely one of them.”

They are being tracked by Germany’s Martin Kaymer, also playing at Kingsbarns, who shot a 65 which included eight birdies and just one bogey.

He said: “My goal this year is to finish in the top five in the Order of Merit and to stay in the top 50 in the world.”

Some of the galleries’ big favourites are poised menacingly behind.

Two-time Open champion and current US PGA champion Padraig Harrington shot a 67 at Kingsbarns and England’s Lee Westwood had a 68. There was a 70 for Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie, winner in 2005.

World No 6 Ernie Els would have been disappointed with his 73 on a day of good scoring.

The tournament, conceived as a celebration of links golf, is played over three of the world’s best known and respected links courses — the Old Course at St Andrews, the Championship Course at Carnoustie and the highly regarded Kingsbarns Golf Links.

Joining the professionals were an enthusiastic group of talented amateur golfers. From the world of entertainment were film and television stars Hugh Grant, Samuel L.Jackson, John O’Hurley, Dougray Scott and Luke Wilson, and music legends Don Felder from the Eagles, Ronan Keating, Huey Lewis and Bon Jovi drummer Tico Torres.

Many of the world’s great sports stars were taking part including football’s Sir Bobby Charlton, Johan Cruyff, Roberto Donadoni, Ruud Gullit and Jamie Redknapp, world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, Olympic rowing legend Sir Steve Redgrave, British tennis hero Tim Henman, American Football running back Marcus Allen, downhill ski star Franz Klammer, and former rugby players Sean Fitzpatrick, Gavin Hastings and Morné du Plessis, while cricket is represented by India’s Kapil Dev, England’s Sir Ian Botham, Mark Nicholas and Michael Vaughan, and Australian spin legend Shane Warne.

Leaders in the team competition are Patrick Elsmie, the managing director of Gleneagles Hotel, playing with French professional Gregory Bourdy, and English-born US based company director Stephen Trickey, playing with Marcus Fraser.

They both had a 12-under par team score of 60 at the Old Course, which gave them a one shot lead over a trio of pairings which included British Olympic legend Sir Steve Redgrave, who was playing with Italy’s Francesco Molinari.

Sir Steve said: “Francesco was a lovely guy to play with and a new partner for me. This is the best start I’ve had, beating the the ten under I did with Andrew Coltart at St Andrews a few years ago. My eagle two at the 6th hole today was a real highlight. I hit a great drive over the bunkers that I’ve never cleared before and the ball ended up four feet from the flag. Amazing.”

World Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko said he thoroughly enjoyed his first round in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship with Hansen, where they are nine-under-par.

“I am very excited to be here, though I was nervous before we played. But that’s good, it usually means I will play well. I love St Andrews and the history of this place and the tournament. It’s a great honour for me to be able to play here and meet all these great personalities.

“I had never met Soren before but I have seen him on TV and I admire him a lot. He was very consistent today which is what I would like in my game. I have really enjoyed myself so far. It’s been fantastic. It’s also my first time in Scotland and I love the country.”

England football legend Sir Bobby Charlton, who is on eight-under-par with talented young Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy after an excellent round on the Old Course, was delighted with his round.

He said: “I had a really fantastic day. I had two net eagles, one going out and one coming back on the par fives. I’ve never made the cut before. I’ll be going to bed early tonight to get ready for tomorrow. Rory is a lovely lad. Just at the start of a great career. He played really well. He could have putted every one of the first nine greens.”

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