Mercedes Championship Update: South African James Kingston overcame a lack of practice before the Mercedes-Benz Championship to move within a shot of the early lead on the opening day in Cologne.
Kingston's clubs went missing in transit and arrived only late last night but he shrugged off frustration to post a three-under 69, a stroke ahead of Meath's Damien McGrane.
"I've taken four weeks off at home and came out feeling pretty refreshed," said the 42-year-old after signing for five birdies and two bogeys.
"Then my clubs and clothes went missing getting here. The clothes arrived Tuesday night and the clubs last night, so it wasn't ideal preparation.
"It's pretty frustrating watching everyone else getting ready for the tournament and you know you can't get prepared.
"But the break's done me good. I put my feet up and didn't really touch a club until last week when I played two or three rounds with my coach."
Kingston claimed his maiden title this year, the South African Open, after several near-misses, to earn his spot in the elite 78-man field.
McGrane, 37, also had his first win this year, in the China Open.
Graeme McDowell (7 holes), Darren Clarke (8) and Peter Lawrie (12) were all one-over, while Paul McGinley was a shot further back through 12 holes.
McDowell is one of four European Ryder Cup players competing this week. Miguel Angel Jimenez, Robert Karlsson and defending champion Soren Hansen are also in the field and are late starters.
American invitee Fred Couples, 48, was three under after five holes, while 51-year-old event promoter Bernhard Langer, bidding to become the European Tour's oldest winner, was one over, playing alongside Couples.
England's Richard Finch currently leads on four-under through 12 holes at Gut Lärchenhof.
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