HILVERSUM, September 8, 2011 (AFP) - Simon Dyson's quest for a third Dutch Open title in six years got off to a perfect start on Thursday but rain delays here mean the opening round will have to be completed on Friday.
Englishman Dyson -- winner in 2006 and 2009 -- hit four birdies and an eagle in his last seven holes en route to a round of 65 that gives him a share of the lead at five-under-par with Germany's Marcel Siem.
However, only around half the field were able to complete their rounds with the start delayed at the Hilversumsche Golf Club after vandals damaged four of the greens overnight.
Play was able to get under way 45 minutes later than scheduled only for heavy rain to see another three-and-a-half hours lost later in the day.
"That's probably the wettest course I've ever played," said Dyson, who is also seeking his second title this year following his triumph at the Irish Open in July.
He is currently 10th on the European Tour money list and added: "My best finish is eighth and I would love to beat that."
Siem has not managed a top-ten finish on the European Tour in over a year, and was able to keep his concentration despite the rain forcing him to wait before completing the last three holes of his round.
"My putter was really, really going well the first 15 holes, and 16, 17, 18, didn't feel that good anymore," said the 31-year-old.
"I’m really happy that I made another birdie after the break."
Robert Dinwiddie of England is third at four-under, while Oliver Wilson, Anders Hansen and David Lynn are all in the clubhouse after three-under-par rounds of 67.
Defending champion Martin Kaymer, runner-up to Thomas Bjorn in Switzerland last weekend, looked completely out of sorts as he started with a four-over 74, but Thomas Levet shot a 69 on his return from breaking his leg at the French Open two months ago.
Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy were among those players unable to finish their rounds, with Westwood level par and US Open champion McIlroy one-over, both having played just eight holes.
Leading and selected scores after the rain-delayed first round of the Dutch Open at Hilversum on Thursday (GBR/IRL unless stated, par 70):
65 - Simon Dyson, Marcel Siem (GER)
66 - Robert Dinwiddie
67 - Oliver Wilson, Anders Hansen (DEN), David Lynn
68 - Robert Coles, Stephen Dodd, Marc Warren
69 - David Dixon, Thomas Levet (FRA), Jamie Elson, Markus Brier (AUT), Niklas Lemke (SWE), Ralph Miller (NED), Rikard Karlberg (SWE), Lorenzo Gagli (ITA)
Selected
70 - Edoardo Molinari (ITA), Paul McGinley
71 - Phillip Price
74 - Martin Kaymer (GER), Jose Maria Olazabal (ESP)