But the 46-year-old was determined to restore some pride with an improved display this morning in Munich and recovered from two early bogeys with birdies at the 16th and 18th to be out in 36.

That still left him 12 over par and 23 shots off the lead, but at least gave the large gallery he still attracts something to cheer about.

Ballesteros has not played on tour since missing the cut in the Benson & Hedges International in May. He was last seen later that month when he pulled out of the Volvo PGA Championship at Wentworth citing flu, the day after he had been fined and severely reprimanded by the tour for his conduct at the Italian Open.

The five-time major winner was disqualified for signing for an incorrect score after refusing to accept a one-stroke penalty for slow play and altering his card.

He then accused the European Tour ‘mafia’ of waging ‘a war’ against him, alleging officials were out to get him because of his membership of the so-called ‘Gang of Four’ who complained about how the tour was being run.

At the other end of the leaderboard, overnight leader Raphael Jacquelin had seen his two-shot advantage wiped out by Sweden’s Peter Hedblom as the low scoring continued.

Jacquelin, whose 62 equalled the course record and matched his opening round in the Nordic Open three weeks ago, had opened with five pars and eagled the sixth to stay two ahead, but then dropped his first shot of the week on the next.

Hedblom then birdied the first after an outward half to 32 to join Jacquelin on 11 under par, one ahead of 1997 champion Robert Karlsson.

English trio Paul Casey, John Bickerton and Gary Emerson were a shot further back on nine under, one ahead of defending champion Thomas Bjorn, who was among the later starters.