Birdie blitz puts Bourdy out in front

Frenchman Gregory Bourdy led the Omega European Masters by two shots after a faultless eight-under par opening round of 63 at Crans-sur-Sierre.

Bourdy, starting on the tenth tee, reached the turn on three-under par and then surged into the lead with five birdies from his inward nine holes.

England’s Oliver Fisher also completed the front nine of the course in 31, with five birdies, to finish the day in a two-way tie for second after a round of 65.

Fisher was joined by Sweden’s Fredrik Andersson Hed, who finished with four birdies over the last five holes on a low-scoring day in the Swiss Alps.

Five players were tied for third place on five-under par, with the early pacesetters Welshman Rhys Davies, England’s Robert Coles and India’s Anirban Lahiri all shooting a 66.

They were joined in the afternoon by Australian Scott Barr and England’s David Howell.

Scotland’s Paul Lawrie and Sweden’s Peter Hanson, the only members of Europe’s Ryder Cup team playing in Crans-sur-Sierre, both opened with 69s.

Lawrie, fresh from his win in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, carded three bogeys and five birdies.