Australian golfer Jack Wilson sat two strokes off the pace after the opening round of the European Tour’s Russian Open on Thursday.

England’s David Horsey hit seven-under-par 65 to sit one shot clear of the field.

The 29-year-old, who won the last of his two European Tour titles in Morocco three years ago, birdied three of his last seven holes at the Tseleevo Golf and Polo Club.

Horsey, who fired seven birdies in total, is one shot clear of Scottish duo Scott Jamieson and Peter Whiteford, with seven players joining Wilson a further shot back.

“It was very solid,” said Horsey.

I birdied the first and then had a few shaky holes where I managed to scramble pars with eight to ten footers.

“After that it was flawless and probably could’ve been a few better. It was a bit breezier this afternoon, but I was just trying to concentrate on giving myself opportunities to make birdie.”

Former world number one tennis player Yevgeny Kafelnikov, one of ten Russians competing, fired an 11-over 83 with one birdie, six bogeys and three double-bogeys.

Kafelnikov, 40, a former Australian Open and French Open winner who retired in 2003, turned to professional golf three years ago.