Muntz leads Dutch Open

By Norman Dabell

ZANDVOORT, Netherlands (Reuters) - Denmark's Soren Hansen boosted his Ryder Cup chances with an opening five-under-par 65 at the Dutch Open on Thursday, one stroke behind leader Rolf Muntz.

Dutchman Muntz, whose career has dipped since he won the 2000 Qatar Masters, rediscovered his touch to shoot six birdies in a flawless first round.

"I've been playing in Canada recently to try to get my game going," tournament pre-qualifier Muntz told Reuters.

"Before that I decided to just step out of the limelight," he added after finishing one ahead of Hansen and Britain's John Bickerton, and two in front of Swede Alexander Noren.

Hansen occupies the 10th and final automatic place in captain Nick Faldo's European team for next month's Ryder Cup in Kentucky, with two counting events remaining.

A recent form slump has put the Dane's position under threat from Martin Kaymer, who is only 271 points adrift in the Cup standings, but a seven-birdie return on a blustery afternoon kept the German at bay.

"My back nine was spectacular," said Hansen. "I feel like I've got my old game back."

Hansen's decision to rest last week paid off as four back-nine birdies pushed him into title contention.