Michael Hoey needs a break. And as he bids to hold on to his tour card for the eighth year running, he got one in Germany when he spun a wedge back into the hole from the fairway for a two at his 10th hole and opened with his lowest European Tour round in nearly a year.

A four under 67 in the Porsche European Open at Golf Resort Bad Griesbach was just what the 37-year old, five-time winner needed as he languishes 183rd in the Race to Dubai having made just six of 24 cuts this term.

Hoey is provisionally tied for eighth, four strokes behind Bernd Wiesberger, who shot an eight under 63 to by two from Renato Paratore before play was suspended due to darkness following a three hour and 25 minute fog delay to the start of play.

Ruaidhri McGee is two under with nine holes of his opening round remaining with Paul Dunne one under after six and Pádraig Harrington tied for 98th after a level par 71.