Le Golf National: Christian Nilsson springs surprise in France

Published on 06/07/2012 00:00

SWEDEN’S Christian Nilsson, without a single top-35 finish all season, was the surprise leader of the Alstom French Open after the first round at Le Golf National near Paris.

But, while Nilsson shot a six-under-par 65 there was more misery for former world No 3 Paul Casey – a nine-over 80 that left him close to last place.

Casey has made only one halfway cut since dislocating his shoulder snowboarding in Colorado on Christmas Eve, but this was the first time he had failed to break 80 in his comeback. Seven of his dropped shots came in the last six holes – and that after a double bogey-7 on the third.

On the course that will host the 2018 Ryder Cup, 33-year-old Nilsson, 263rd in the world, leads by one from England’s Gary Boyd, Italian teenager Matteo Manassero and Wales Open winner Thongchai Jaidee, from Thailand. Third-ranked Lee Westwood recovered from four over after six holes and from playing one shot while standing in a lake to match Open champion Darren Clarke’s 70.

That was one better than Justin Rose and two better than both Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell, while Irish Open champion Jamie Donaldson handed in a birdie-free 76 and admitted: “I’m a little bit tired and didn’t really know what was going on out there.”

Nilsson said: “It’s been a struggle for me so far this year. My long game was pretty bad, but it’s improved and this is good for my confidence.”

He followed four birdies in six holes with a bogey six at the 596-yard ninth, then collected more birdies on the 10th, 14th and 15th.

It is only just over a month ago that Boyd began the Wales Open with an 88 that included two 10s, but he flew to America to see his coach straight afterwards and has put the pieces back together.

“That was a bit of a disaster, but I’ve had a lot of positive signs in the last three weeks,” said the 25-year-old, twice a runner-up since stepping up from the Challenge Tour two years ago.

“I’m working on the right things I feel and am getting comfortable again. My game wasn’t where it needed to be and it was time to take a time-out.”

Westwood, in his last tournament before the Open Championship, said: “I didn’t do much wrong to be four over, but there’s not a lot of panic in me any more. I haven’t got much time for that. It was not going my way, but you just have to get it out of your mind.”

Richie Ramsay is the leading Scot after a two-under 69, followed by Stephen Gallacher and David Drysdale on 70, Scott Jamieson (71) and Peter Whiteford (72).