Sergio Garcia made a sparkling start in his first event as a pro when he birdied three of the first four holes today to briefly hold the lead in the Spanish Peugeot Open.

At the end of a hectic day, the 19-year-old Spaniard, top amateur at the Masters earlier this month, had a 5-under-par 67 to sit two strokes behind the five leaders, who all carded 65s.

"It's been a very good day," Garcia said. "I played some great golf, and if I had been a little bit more lucky on the greens it could have been much lower."

Fellow Spaniards Ignacio Garrido and Juan Carlos Aguero, Sweden's Max Anglert and England's Jamie Spence and Anthony Wall, who all had 65s.

Alberto Binaghi of Italy, Jarmo Sandelin of Sweden and Scot Paul Lawrie were tied in sixth place with 66s on the on the 6,639-yard El Prat course.

Last year's winner, Denmark's Thomas Bjorn did not take part in the competition as he pulled out Wednesday with a neck ailment.

Jose Maria Olazabal, playing his first tournament since winning the Masters, shot a 72.

Olazabal's first shot since his triumph at Augusta two weeks ago hit a tree 100 yards off the tee and came straight down. He recovered to go 3-under after eight holes but then had four bogeys and had to birdie the final hole for level par.

The Peugeot Open is a perfect place for Garcia to make his pro debut. He set the European record last year in this tournament for having the lowest score by an amateur, an 11-under 277.

Nick Faldo, struggling on the US Tour, managed a par 70 in the opening round, while Seve Ballesteros, who played with knee problems, managed a 73.