David Higgins carded an opening round of level-par 72 to lie in tied 28th and seven shots back at the European Tour Qualifying School at San Roque in Spain.
However, fellow Irishman Philip Walton struggled to a disappointing four-over 76.
The former Ryder Cup star is languishing down in a tie for 101st after round one.
Norway's Eirik Tage Johansen leads on seven under following a 65.
He is three strokes clear of Finalnd’s Antti Ahokas, Swede Daniel Sjoland and English teenage amateur Oliver Fisher who all shot 68.
Englishman Warren Bennett carded a 69 to share fifth place overall with Spain's Luis Claverie and Birgir Hafthorsson of Iceland.
