Nico Geyger starred on the first day of the Cordon Golf Open as a thunderstorm and heavy rain prevented Round One from being completed at Golf Blue Green de Pléneuf Val Andre.
The Chilean started his round with four straight birdies before two more either side of the turn took him to six under par, one ahead of the clubhouse leader Thomas Perrot, before a play was suspended for the day, initially for lightning and then due to a waterlogged course.
Geyger’s best result this season was his unfortunate 11th place in Northern Ireland earlier this month, where he lost in his first stroke play match courtesy of a remarkable albatross on the final hole by Ricardo Santos, but he is hopeful of a good result to improve his Road to Oman Ranking of 91st.
“It’s unfortunate to have a delay, especially when you’re in the middle of a good round,” said the 31 year old. “We had rain early in the round but it was still ok, then it was good, but it’s the same for everyone when a delay happens.
“I’ve been hitting my irons really well and obviously making a lot of putts, but nothing really different from the rest of the year – I’ve been hitting the ball nicely, just some days it goes even better than others.
“It’s true, I am now in a position in the year where I start to need a good result rather than just hoping for one, but I’ve been playing really well all season – I’ve been making lots of cuts, just not finishing well enough.
“Making cuts shows I’m playing really well and this is just more of the same, now I’ve just got to keep on going and at some point I hope that run of making cuts but finishing 30th or 40th comes to an end.
“Northern Ireland was frustrating for sure. It was one of the good weeks, I was playing well and was only three shots off the lead in the regular stroke play event, then the last day wasn’t quite what I was expecting – especially it finishing with Santos making an albatross.
“But I gave myself a chance and that’s all I’ve been trying to do all year round and that’s what I’ll keep trying to do because there’s nothing else you can do, you just have to stay positive.”
Out in the perfect morning conditions, Perrot’s five under par round of 65 featured an eagle and three birdies, while his compatriot Pierre-Yves Rolland – playing at his home course as a qualifier – shot an impressive 69.
Of the other morning starters to complete their rounds, Jules Coupade, Oliv Rozner and Marcel Schneider were the most notable, all signing for rounds of 66 to sit two off Geyger’s overnight lead.
