Golf: American Bubba Watson was one of the big attractions at the Alstom French Open this week, but it was another left-hander who was stealing the show in today's first round at Le Golf National. Richard Green raced to seven under par after 14 holes and was three ahead of England's European Tour rookie Matthew Nixon.

Green has not had a top-10 finish all season, but avoided a fourth successive missed cut in Germany last week and, after picking up two early shots, he added five more birdies in six holes around the turn.

The 40-year-old from Melbourne knew, however, he still had to negotiate all the water on the closing four holes on the course that was last month chosen to stage the 2018 Ryder Cup.

Nixon, 22 earlier this month, went to the turn in a fine 32 and remained four under with seven to play.

Former winner Graeme Storm and Scot Peter Whiteford were part of the group on three under, while 48-year-old Colin Montgomerie — runner-up three years ago and looking for a top-five finish to secure a late spot into the British Open — was going well at two under, but then bogeyed two of his last three for a 71.

Particularly disappointing was his six on the long ninth, his final hole, where he had a makeable birdie chance but ran it four feet past and missed the return. Paul McGinley finished alongside his former Ryder Cup teammate while Damien McGrane was a shot further back. Darren Clarke, Michael Hoey, Peter Lawrie, Shane Lowry and Gareth Maybin were all among the later starters.

World number four Martin Kaymer, struggling for the form that saw him replace Lee Westwood at the top of the rankings in February, was only one over after driving into an unplayable lie on the par five third and running up a six.