Kjeldsen leads the Italian Open

MILAN, Italy, May 4 (UPI) -- Soren Kjeldsen of Denmark is the leader after the first round of the Italian Open at Milan after a 9-under-par 63 Thursday.

Kjeldsen, who has never won a tournament, had a two-shot lead over England's Benn Barham.

At 6-under 66 are England's Philip Archer, Gregory Bourdy of France, Andrew Butterfield of England, Frenchman Gregory Havret, James Hepworth of England, South Africa's Michael Kirk and Alessandro Tadini, who was the top Italian finisher over the first 18 holes.

Eleven players, including Scotland's David Drysdale and Rafael Gomez of Argentina are tied at 5-under 67.

A group of 110 players were even-par or better. Kjeldsen's score matched the single-round course record.