Kaymer sets record pace in Paris
02 Jul 2009 - 17:43:32
Germany's Martin Kaymer leads the Paris open by three shots after a brilliant nine-under-par opening round of 62, equalling the course record.
The 24-year-old's performance was all the more remarkable as he is suffering from a severely blistered foot that required treatment on Wednesday.
Kaymer leads by three shots from a chasing pack of five, which includes England's 2006 winner John Bickerton.
Padraig Harrington is 10 shots back and faces a fifth successive missed cut.
The Irishman, without a top 10 finish since January, is desperate to recapture his form as he has only two weeks until his Open title defence at Turnberry.
Despite being so far off the pace, Harrington insisted he was reasonably satisfied with his performance.
"Three three-putts (including two in the first three holes) really hurt badly, but I was encouraged by the way I played - very encouraged," he said.
In contrast, Kaymer is in top form and was even able to contend with the pain in his foot and the searing heat to take a commanding lead.
"I've been missing a lot of short putts, but everything came together - and I hope it continues," he said.
"The foot's still hurting, but I will survive," added Kaymer.
"On Wednesday when I was practising it was unbelievable pain, but now I don't worry about it."
Kaymer's round actually began with a bogey, but after five birdies in the next nine holes he chipped in for eagle at the long third and finished with three more birdies for an inward 30.
England's Ian Poulter was paired with Harrington and also finished on one over par, while Nick Dougherty followed up his win in Munich on Sunday with a 66 and Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie returned a 69.
But major winners Jose Maria Olazabal, Angel Cabrera and John Daly all fared worse than Harrington.
Miguel Angel Jimenez, whose 500th European Tour event began with a hook into the water, hit back for a 67 and fellow Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal, the defending champion, matched that with five birdies in the last six holes.
