VERSAILLES, France, June 26: British teenager Oliver Fisher took the early lead in the first round of the French Open on Thursday with a five-under-par 66.

Fisher headed 2007 U.S. Open champion Angel Cabrera by a stroke when the Argentine carded a bogey on the last hole.

The 19-year-old Briton lost a playoff to Frenchman Thomas Levet in the Andalucia Open in March but said his defeat had been a help rather than a disappointment.

“My near miss in Spain was a great confidence boost,” Fisher told reporters.

“I played with Lee Westwood in the last two rounds and I outplayed him by a couple of shots. And look what he can do.

“That was the first time I’d really been in contention for a title as a professional and I know I can get better and better.”

Cabrera mounted his challenge despite running up a double-bogey going out. Five birdies around that mishap and seven in all encouraged last year’s Oakmont major champion.

“I’m happy coming back to Europe now because I always putt better at this time here,” Cabrera told reporters. “I putted very well today and I’m looking forward to the rest of the week.”

Recent Austrian Open winner Jeev Milkha Singh of India is in a large group two shots off the pace.—Reuters