Bourdy sets early pace

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Gregory Bourdy will take a two-shot lead into the second round of the Omega European Masters after opening up with a 63.

Gregory Bourdy will take a two-shot lead into the second round of the Omega European Masters after opening up with an impressive eight-under-par 63.

The Frenchman produced a flawless round as he added five birdies on his inward nine at the Crans-sur-Sierre club to go with the three he picked up before the turn.

Bourdy, whose last win on the European Tour came in 2009 when he won the Hong Kong Open, is sitting pretty with England’s Oliver Fisher and Fredrik Andersson Hed of Sweden tied for second.

“It was a great day. I don’t think I’ve ever played better,” he said.

“This course isn’t the most difficult, but it’s not the easiest either because you have to hit the ball very straight, and I managed to do that today.

“I only missed one shot all day, but still managed to save par. My attitude was very good; I was very positive and that’s why I finished very well.”

Fisher also carded five birdies in the front nine for a 65 while Hed finished with four birdies on the last five holes to also record a six-under 65.

Early pacesetters Welshman Rhys Davies, England’s Robert Coles and India’s Anirban Lahiri as well as Scott Barr and David Howell and are all a further shot adrift.

Coles, who turns 40 on Sunday, had a chance to join Fisher and Andersson Hed in second place, but he dropped a shot on the final hole.

“I’m hungrier than ever, because recently I’ve had chances to win, and I’ve started to believe that I can do it out here,” Coles told europeantour.com.

“Maybe earlier in my career I didn’t truly believe I could win, but that’s changed.

“The hunger comes from knowing you’re capable, I just need to prove it. I’m probably hungrier now than I was in my twenties.

“To win any tournament would be great, but to win it on my birthday would be extra special. Although maybe they’ll call it off on Saturday and we only play 54 holes, I could still win it as a 39-year-old!”

Scotland’s Paul Lawrie and Sweden’s Peter Hanson, the only members of Europe’s Ryder Cup team in action in the Swiss Alps, are two-under-par following rounds of 69.

Fresh from his win at the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles last week, Lawrie’s round featured five birdies as well as three bogeys.

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