Bickerton leads in Paris

PARIS, June 29 (UPI) -- England's John Bickerton shot 8-under 63 Thursday to take the first-round lead at the French Open Golf Tournament in Paris.

Bickerton, who has won once on the European Tour and missed the cut at the U.S. Open two weeks ago, has a two-shot lead over New Zealand's Michael Campbell. He is three shots better than Joakim Backstrom of Sweden.

"My mind was too bogged down with defending the U.S. Open," Bickerton said. "(Thursday) I was finally free."

Five players are tied for third place at 4-under 67. The group includes Benn Barham, Oliver Whiteley, Mark Foster and David Carter, all from England; and Sweden's Henrik Stenson.

Five others -- Denmark's Soren Hansen; two-time defending champion Jean-Francois Remesy of France; England's Richard Finch; Andrew Coltart of Scotland; and David Park of Wales -- are a shot further back at 3-under 68, tied for ninth place.