Perth, Australia (My Sportsbook) - Robert-Jan Derksen of the Netherlands fired an eight-under 64 on Thursday to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the Johnnie Walker Classic.

Australia's Tony Carolan and Singapore's Mardan Mamat both shot seven-under 65s to share second place, while England's Lee Westwood and John Bickerton joined Ireland's Damien McGrane at six-under 66.

Forty-two players overall stood within five shots of Derksen's lead, including Colin Montgomerie (67), Anthony Kim (68) and Ian Poulter (68).

Much further down the leaderboard, Australian golf legend and 1994 Johnnie Walker champion Greg Norman opened with a three-over 75 and was tied for 135th place.

Derksen, a two-time winner on the European Tour, had an unspectacular start at The Vines Resort & Country Club, making just one birdie in his first seven holes.

But he turned it on from there, completing a bogey-free 64 for his lowest career round.

Derksen's first birdie -- at No. 5 -- was followed by four consecutive birdies around the turn, moving him to five-under par through 11 holes. His round could have been even lower, but he missed an easy three-foot birdie putt at the 14th.

He turned disappointment into momentum, however, by rolling in a 25-foot birdie putt at the 15th -- beginning a run of three birdies in his last four holes.

Derksen reached the green in two shots at three of the course's four par- fives, meaning his score could have been even lower if he'd rolled in any of the eagle putts.

But as much as it could have been better, it also could have been worse.

"If you're slightly off, you can make some big numbers," said Derksen. "The wind is a factor, so it's still a long way to go."

Derksen, who began the season with three top-40 finishes, including a tie for 20th place at the Dubai Desert Classic, missed the cut at last week's Malaysian Open.

Thursday marked the first time in 3 1/2 years that the 35-year-old Dutchman held an 18-hole lead on the European Tour.

"It's a good start and it's always nice to have -- it's as simple as that," he said, "but there's a lot of golf to be played."

The tournament was played in New Delhi, India, last year, but has moved back to Australia for the fifth time.