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VERSAILLES, France: Rising German star Martin Kaymer put aside problems with his footwear to set a blistering pace in the first round of the 4 million euros French Open at Le Golf National on Thursday.
The 24-year-old from Dusseldorf, who was The European PGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 2007, chipped in for an eagle at the par-five third and added eight birdies en route to a 62 which equalled the course record set by Argentina's Eduardo Romero in 2005.
It was one of the finest rounds on the European PGA Tour this year and put him three strokes clear of a quintet comprising John Bickerton of England, Rafa Echenique of Argentina, Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, Scott Strange of Australia and Peter Hanson of Sweden.
A stroke further back on 66 came last weekend's BMW International winner Nick Dougherty and fellow Englishman Paul Waring.
Leading the home challenge to emulate the back-to-back wins of Jean-Francois Remesy in 2004 and 2005 were veterans Thomas Levet and Jean van de Velde who were among 11 players grouped on four-under.
Kaymer, who has had a disappointing season to date, revealed that he had been having problems with blisters on his feet coming into the event and had even cut open his shoes to relieve the pain.
"It started two weeks ago," he explained.
"It was hurting last week in Munich but that?s not the reason I missed the cut there.
"Yesterday it was hurting a lot when I was practicing before the pro-am, the pain was unbelievable so I went to the physios and sorted it out a little bit and we cut part of the right shoe away.
"When I am on flat lies it's okay but it hurts when I am on side slopes.
Ireland's Padraig Harrington, also in search of form as he steps up his preparations for a crack at a third consecutive British Open win at Turnberry, Scotland in two weeks time, had to settle for a one-over 72, but said he was reasonably satisfied with his performance.
"Three three-putts really hurt me, but I was encouraged by the way I played - very encouraged," he said.
Playing partner Ian Poulter of England, who also had a 72, was similarly upbeat saying: "Take my triple bogey out of it, that was not disastrous. I played lovely and nine under is one helluva round."
Less happy with himself was out of shape American John Daly who pulled out complaining about back pain after losing a ball in the wispy, links-like rough on the 17th.
Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez meanwhile was presented with a trophy from David Probyn, the tournament director for the European Tour to commemorate playing in his 500th European tournament, the 19th player to do so.
The 45-year-old Ryder Cup star carded a fine four-under par 67 to put himself right in the picture.
"This is my 21st year on the Tour and to play 500 tournaments means that I have played non-stop for almost ten years - that?s a lot of golf!" he said.
"But I still love it and I really enjoy playing with the new guys that are coming through and seeing that I can still compete against these boys." - AFP/de
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