Dermot McElroy fired an impressive bogey-free five under par 66 to set the pace after round one of The Dutch Futures.
The Ballymena man (32) lies 94th in the Road to Mallorca with just six events remaining before the top 46 contest the season-ending Rolex Grand Final.
"A good week here would be huge," said McElroy, who leads by a shot from Frenchman Nathan Legendre and Scot Euan Walker.
"To be honest, I've played terribly all year, barring one good result. I've been practising really hard all season, and I'm really pleased with how I am starting to hit the ball."
He arrived at The Dutch on the back of four successive missed cuts, including his last three on the HotelPlanner Tour.
But he turned in three-under 32 before following a birdie at the 17th with a hole out for another on the par-five 18th.
Max Kennedy, Alex Maguire, Jack Madden and Liam Nolan were joint 38th after level par 71s, while Jonny Caldwell, John Murphy and Daniel Mulligan were just inside the cut line after 72s.
Paul McBride was 99th after a 74, with Robert Moran and John Rosa Galbraith 119th after 76s.
Article Link: McElroy leads in the Netherlands - News - Irish Golf Desk