Defending champion Kaymer tied for lead at France Open
Germany's Martin Kaymer shared the clubhouse lead at the Alstom Open de France this afternoon, coming home on five-under-par 66 along with Jean van de Velde and Alejandro Canizares. The 25-year-old Kaymer won this tournament last time out, having defeating England's Lee Westwood in a play-off.
Local hero - or should that be anti-hero? - Van de Velde remains notorious for the manner in which he imploded at the Open in 1999, triple-bogeying the final hole to endure a play-off (which he lost) when a double bogey would have been enough to secure victory. Since then the Frenchman's fortunes have been on the wane, though he did come second at this tournament back in 2005.
But the 44-year-old was in fine form today, carding a solid five birdies and no bogeys. Kaymer produced one more birdie, but also bogeyed the 17th, while Spain's Canizares made up for an early bogey at the 4th with six birdies in all - four of them coming in a row, between the 14th and 17th holes.
With play still in progress a New Zealander and an Australian were among those tied for fourth place, Kiwi Danny Lee and Aussie Scott Strange both on four-under, as was Germany's Martin Siem. Meanwhile, no fewer than 11 players were tied for seventh place at the time of writing, all on three-under par - among them Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood, though world No. 3 Westwood had only played as far as the first 10 holes.
The Englishman's very presence had been in question earlier, Westwood undergoing tests on his right calf and ankle yesterday, which had swollen up but thankfully the problem was simply a reaction to the hot weather, rather than a blood clot or anything more serious.
Of the other notable names, Luke Donald came home one-under-par to tie for 33rd place, along with Chris Wood, while Rhys Davies and Matteo Manassero were both on level par, as was Ian Poulter, though Poults is yet to finish, having only got as far as the 11th.
Jeev Milkha Singh had perhaps the most spectacular round, the Indian star racking up a couple of eagles in his round though the effect was somewhat nullified, Singh having also carded a couple of double bogeys, three birdies and two bogeys - to eventually come home one-under, in 32nd place.
At least that's better than Bradley Dredge; the Welshman finished in third place at the BMW International last week, but midway through his opening round here Dredge has already racked up four bogeys and a double to find himself six-over, and tied for 146th place. Maybe the 36-year-old can turn things round on the back nine.
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