22 September, 2017
Luiten picked up birdies on the 1st, 5th and 9th before kicking on in the back nine to end day one in a share of the lead at the Dom Pedro Victoria Gold Course in Vilamoura.
The player line-up includes Sweden's Emil Rosberg and Britain's Joe Miller, the victor and runner up, respectively, of the last Long Drive World Series event, which took place in Windsor, England in July.
"It's not as easy to play a tournament as defending champion".
Members of the crowd will also be invited to try their hand at long drive themselves, with the help of the players who will be on hand to provide guests with expert tips and coaching advice. Not that many people tend to win the return.
Starting on the back-nine, Luiten earned the flawless start through No. 11 with a birdie, and he continued to maintain his form to the highest standard.
It was tough day at the office for two-time North of Ireland Amateur champion Chris Selfridge.
Both players have struggled for consistency of late but they appeared to put their troubles behind them in Portugal.
"I knew my game wasn't far off and it's good that today showed I'm getting in the right shape".
Meanwhile, Coetzee made a poor start with a bogey on the 2nd but he recovered well by picking up eight birdies to eventually tie with Luiten on seven-under.
Coetzee finished third in the KLM Open last week and he looked to be carrying that momentum in style as he birdied six of his first eight holes to turn in 30.
At the Tour Championship in Atlanta, American Kyle Stanley set the first round pace with a six-under par 64 giving him a two shot lead over compatriots Webb Simpson, Brooks Koepka, Daniel Berger and England's Paul Casey.
The Northern Irishman is three-over-par after going round in 74.
