RICHARD Bland produced an excellent first round at the Italian Open to give himself an opportunity of his first top ten finish of the season.

The Hampshire golfer, ranked 605th in the world, carded a four-under par 68 at the Castello di Tolcinasco Golf Club.

That left Bland tied for 11th place when he finished his round, three back of clubhouse leaders Mark Foster and Marc Warren.

Bland, who started at the tenth hole, looked to be in trouble after a double bogey five on the par three 14th.

However, he immediately rebounded with an eagle three at the next hole.

Bland finished with four birdies in his last ten holes, to put himself in contention going into tomorrow's second round, when he is due to tee off at 12.20pm.