European Tour: Scotland's David Drysdale produced a sparkling 10-under-par round of 62 to seize the first-round lead at the Russian Open yesterday.

An eagle on the 15th hole and birdies on the 17th and 18th carried the 31-year-old from Cockburnspath one shot clear of Spaniard Carlos Rodiles.

It was a good day too at the Moscow Country Club in suburban Nakhabino for the Kilkenny man Gary Murphy, who birdied four of the five opening holes on his way to shooting a 67.

Ireland's other three representatives in Moscow, Michael Hoey, Stephen Browne and David Higgins, all opened with two-under par 70s.

Drysdale made three birdies in his opening four holes and hardly looked back, with a dropped shot at the sixth the only blemish on his card.

The tournament enjoys full European Tour status for the first time this year, and an increased prize-fund, which has swelled from 400,000 to 783,000.

Until Drysdale's late flourish, Rodiles looked set to be the overnight leader. The 31-year-old completed a flawless nine-under round of 63, avoiding dropped shots.

South African James Kingston was level with another Spaniard, Francis Valera, on seven under after both posted 65s.