Porsche European Open: England & # 039; s Paul Casey leads after day one in Germany

Paul Casey strives for his first win on the European Tour in five years Porsche European Open first round leaderboard-6 P Casey (Eng); -5 M Schwab (Aut); -4 B Stow (Eng), R MacIntyre (Sco), M Rottluff (Ger); -3 A Bjork (Swe), L Herbert (Aus), B Evans (Eng) Selected others: -2 T Pieters (Bel); -1 A Chesters (Eng), P Harrington (Ire); E R Fisher (Eng), M Orrin (Eng), S Manley (Wal); +1 X Schauffele (US); +2 P Reed (USA) Complete standings

Paul Casey from England has a one-shot lead after the first day of the Porsche European Open in Hamburg, Germany.

In wet and windy conditions, Casey, 42, shot a six-under 66, including back-to-back birdies on the 13th and 14th holes, despite suffering from illness.

Austrian Matthias Schwab is on five under, with Scotland's Robert MacIntyre, Germany's Max Rottluff and England Ben Ben Stow all on four under.

"That's one of the nicest rounds I've played this year," said Casey.

"A few putts have passed but it is so difficult golf course. I was happy with the patience I showed and the score does not do it justice.

" I would have been happy under par , let alone six. I don't feel great, but it's what it is – watch out for the sick golfer. "

Casey, who suffered from sore throat, has won 13 times on the European Tour, but is aiming for his first success since the KLM Open in September 2014.

Former Masters champion Patrick Reed had to make the last three holes to shoot a two-over-par 74, while world number nine Xander Schauffele was one shot better despite dropping three shots in his last eight holes.