RAYMOND RUSSELL MAKES GOOD START IN SAINT-OMER OPEN

EUROPEAN CHALLENGE TOUR REPORT

FROM SARAH GWYNN, Lumbres, France

 sgwynn@europeantour.com,

Scot Raymond Russell carded a three under par 68 in the first round of the Saint-Omer Open presented by Neuflize OBC to lie one shot off the lead.

The 39 year old had four birdies and a bogey at Aa Saint Omer Golf Club, and was pleased with how he handled a tough test.

Russell said: “Only one bogey is pretty decent on this course – it’s a tricky one. There was a little bit of wind and the greens are very quick in places, so it’s a case of trying to play really smart golf and not do anything stupid.

“I’ve played it half a dozen times, but my caddie today knows it very well, which is why he’s been drafted in this week. He’s been telling me to hit it in all sorts of places I’d never dream of hitting it, and it’s working so far.

“This season has been pretty quiet so far. I had a nice enough start on the Challenge Tour, but I’ve been very quiet on the main Tour from the five starts I’ve had.

“There will be a time pretty soon when I’ll need to make a decision on whether I play Challenge Tour or main Tour for the rest of the year. You can’t really play both. I’ll just have to wait and see how this week pans out.”

It was also a productive day for fellow Scots Alastair Forsyth, who signed for a 69, and Lloyd Saltman, who had a one under par 70.

FIRST-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 71
67 Adam Gee (England), Sihwan Kim (South Korea), Simon Wakefield (England).
68 Raul Quiros (Spain), Darren Fichardt (South Africa), Raymond Russell (Scotland).
OTHER SCOTS' SCORES
69 Alastair Forsyth (T7)
70 Lloyd Saltman (T14)
72 Craig Lee (T35)
73 Callum Macaulay (T45)
75 Scott Henry, Chris Doak (T89)
76 Andrew McArthur (T115)
81 Jamie McLeary (T152)

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