Mark Mouland - Photo: DR

The double winner of the European Tour made three cents per par on the outward journey and saved four additional strokes on the 9 holes of the return, making successive birdies on holes numbers 13, 14 and 15. Mouland at the same time , completed his best course of the 2016 season; the former winner of the European Senior Tour attributes his provisional first place in the classification to his putting hell.

“It was all about putting today. ", did he declare. “For the first time in four or five weeks, I managed to putter normally. I had conceded 11 triple putts last week at Woburn. I returned to normal and I putted fantastically, at my best level in two years. I took in a 6 meter putt to make my last birdie. I had a good drive from the tee, then I used a new iron to reach the green. The ball landed just outside, on the left side, and I took it in. It's always good to enter a 64 card, but doing it here has something special. "

Jean Van de Velde, best Frenchman with a PAR card for the 1st day.
The former French N ° 1 returned to competition at the Golf National after his sporting retirement in 2011. Photo: DR

The European Senior Tour is taking place this week at the Golf National, which is one of the stages of the European Tour and whose Albatross course will serve as a backdrop for the 2018 Ryder Cup.

"The course is magnificent", said Mouland. “The greens look great. The rough is thick: we especially don't want to miss the fairways. As we only experienced a slight breeze today, we couldn't have dreamed of an easier playing conditions. This golf course is really not easy, especially with the water surrounding the last holes. "

The Englishman Phil Golding, former winner at the Golf National after his triumph at the 2003 French Open, shares the impressions of Mouland, who ranks second after a course of four under par, at 67 - the only one of the day exempt of bogeys.

"The course is really in very good condition," says Golding. " I went around on board a buggy Wednesday evening and I putted here and there. Thursday's Pro-Am was great for us; we played a Texas Scramble with our amateur partners but using our own ball. I played a very good three-part game today and I had a good score. I had difficulties in some places and I missed a little too many greens, but I mostly putte well. My short game allowed me to get out of it. The greens are a little faster than when we played there on Thursday, but the course is superb. "

Tied in second place, we find the Spaniard Pedro Linhart and the Argentinian Cesar Monasterio who, although he finished the day on a bogey at the 18th hole, remains optimistic before the second day of Saturday.

"I had a great day", did he declare. “I made some nice shots and my putting was not bad either. The course is in excellent condition. On the 18th, I was trapped by the rough on my swing and the ball fell into the water, but I caught up with an excellent putt. It's a good score and I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. "

Pedro Linhart and Andrew Sherborne share fourth place; a step further, we find Gary Wolstenholme, two under s.

Double Major Champion John Daly returned a card at par, at 71, just like the French Jean Van de Velde, ambassador of the French Open; both sign their debuts in a regular event of the European Senior Tour.

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