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VERSAILLES, June 24: Suffering Swede Klas Eriksson ran up a seven-over-par 11 on the 15th hole in the first round of the French Open on Thursday.
It was his second such embarrassment in two years following a nine-over-par 13 at the 14th during the 2002 Algarve Portuguese Open, on his way to shooting a 91.But Eriksson was not the only one to suffer at the tough Le National course.
South African Hennie Otto took a 10 at the par-five ninth and compatriot Desvonde Botes had two nines as he posted an 18-over 89. Otto shot 81 and Eriksson 80.
On Wednesday, Australian Robert Allenby, the only man not over par in the U.S. Open final round on Sunday, reckoned Le National has taller rough and narrower fairways than Shinnecock Hills, the major course. However, South African Darren Fichardt had no problems, carving out a course record five-under-par 66 to take the lead.
Leading first round scores
66 Darren Fichardt
67 Ian Woosnam
68 Richard Green
69 Nicolas Colsaerts, Jean-Francois Remesy
70 Graeme McDowell, Cesar Monasterio, Ian Poulter, Mark Roe
71 David Dixon, Peter Fowler, Ricardo Gonzalez, James Hepworth, David Howell, Marcel Siem
72 Matthew Blackey, Gordon Brand Jnr, Markus Brier, Paul Eales, Gary Evans, Gregory Havret, David Lynn, Steven O'Hara, Marten Olander, Richard McEvoy. -Reuters
