Bjorn, whose place in this tournament was only confirmed on Monday, set the benchmark early on Monday as he overcame blustery conditions to finish five-under, but he was overshadowed by a sensational late surge from Lewis who made four birdies over his final five holes to join the veteran Dane at the summit.

Lewis made a fine start as he made the turn in 32 thanks to birdies at the par-three third, par-five seventh and par-four eighth, but a possible collapse appeared to be on the cards when he dropped shots at the par-three 11th and the par-four 13th. However, the 20-year-old had other ideas and embarked on a blistering run that those in the upper echelons of golf’s rankings would have been proud of. Lewis quickly returned to two-under with a birdie at the par-five 14th, and he then surged up the leaderboard by picking up shots at each of his next three holes, before parring the last to complete his opening round in 65.

Bjorn had earlier set the standard in Sandwich by making seven birdies and two bogeys in his 65, but the Dane, who threw away a three shot lead on the final day of this tournament eight years ago, will be ruing the bogey that came at the 18th and prevented him from taking an outright lead.

Miguel Angel Jimenez leads the chasing pack on four-under alongside Lucas Glover and Webb Simpson. The popular Spaniard produced a fine bogey-free first round 66, making birdies at the par-four fourth, ninth, 12th and 17th.

Following them is a logjam of players all on two-under, including Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer. McDowell made a dismal start with a double-bogey at the very first hole and he dropped to three-over with a bogey at the par-four fifth. The Northern Irishman battled back with successive birdies at the sixth and seventh, but his resurgence looked short-lived as he recorded his second bogey of the day at the eighth. However, McDowell showed his resolve on the back nine and hauled himself back into contention with successive birdies at the par-four 12th and 13th, as well as the 17th and 18th. World number three Kaymer, meanwhile, shot three birdies and a bogey in his 68.

Steve Stricker and Ian Poulter are among a group of players on one-under, with the likes of Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia having completed par-70 opening rounds.

Pre-tournament favourite Rory McIlroy, winner of last month’s US Open, is back on one-over after he battled the windy conditions in the morning, with the world’s top two, Luke Donald and Lee Westwood, having also shot 71 on Thursday.