Thomas Bjorn leads at St. Andrews

FIFE, Scotland, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Thomas Bjorn shot 8-under-par 64 Thursday for a two-stroke lead after the first 18 holes at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Fife, Scotland.

The Dane's bogey-free round at St. Andrews included six birdies and an eagle at the par-5 third hole.

"I started rolling in a few putts and everything was just kind of coming together," Bjorn said. "I had a couple of more chances, but when you do when you play well, it's just nice to walk off and feel like I got what I deserved."

Fellow Denmark native Gareth Maybin and England's Ross McGowan shot 6-under 66 to share second place.

Spain's Jose Manuel Lara birdied the 18th to join Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin and four others in fourth place at 5-under 67.

Defending champion Robert Karlsson of Sweden shot an opening 4-over 76 and joined seven others in a tie for 151st place.