NICOL IN TOP 20 AFTER A PAR 71 AT ALPS TOUR'S FRENCH VENUE

Fraserburgh's Kris Nicol (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) shot a par-matching 71 to be joint 17th at the end of the first round in this week's Alps Tour event, the Open International de la Mirabel d'Or at Golf de la Grange aux Ormes.
Nicol birdied the long 10th and par-4 11th and bogeyed the second and 18th.
Ross Cameron (Saltire Energy) from Ellon, the only other Scot in the field, had only one birdie, at the short 16th, in compiling a 78 to lie joint 84th.
Italy's Alessio Bruschi leads with a seven-under 64, two ahead of Richard Kilpatrick (Northern Ireland).