Adam Scott headed straight to the practice range after an erratic opening round score of even-par 72 in his defence of his Scandinavian Masters title.

English golfer David Howell, winner of the 1998 Australian PGA, and Swede Johan Edfors, head the event on five-under 67.

Three other Swedes - Chris Hanel, Wilhelm Schauman and Henrik Stenson - along with the England pair of Chris Gane and Steve Webster were on four under.

Ryder Cup hopefuls Jesper Parnevik of Sweden, Luke Donald of England, Thomas Levet of France and Ireland's Paul McGinley carded three under.

Colin Montgomerie, declaring he needed to win two of his next four events to earn automatic Ryder Cup selection, matched Scott with 72.

Scott spent more than an hour under the watchful eye of caddie Tony Navarro trying to sort out problems after a round that included five birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey.

The defending champion from Queensland started his round with two bogeys but then birdied three holes in succession before a bogey at seven, a birdie at eight and a double bogey at the ninth.

Scott then birdied his 11th hole and finished off with seven straight pars.

"I was in a bunker with my second at my ninth and got one of the worst fried eggs I've ever had," he said.

"The whole round was very erratic and I am just not playing well at the moment but then Tony and I managed to sort out a few things, so hopefully that's my poor round for the week."

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