Jean Van de Velde continues to lead the field at the conclusion of the delayed first round of the Open de France after his course-record equalling 64.
Soren Hansen looked poised to overhaul the Frenchman after racing to six under par through ten holes but the birdies dried up and the Dane closed his round out with eight successive pars to join Jonathan Lomas on 65.
Raymond Russell also had a golden opportunity for a share of the lead but his two foot birdie putt on his final hole, the ninth on the Albatross Course, stayed above ground and the Scot had to settle for a 65.
South African Charl Schwartzel, winner of the dunhill championship earlier in the year, threatned the leaders with an eagle on the 14th followed by a birdie on the 15th but dropped a shot on the 17th to finish on five under par.
Play in the second round is already underway with Terry Price racing out of the blocks with a birdie, birdie, eagle start to climb to five under par and just two shots off the lead.
