MALMO, Sweden, July 23 (UPI) -- Lee Slattery's first-round 6-under-par 64 Thursday leads the European Tour's SAS Masters at Malmo, Sweden.
The event is being played at Malmo's Barseback Country Club on the longest course in European Tour history.
The Englishman's round included seven birdies and one bogey at the par-5 12th hole and a birdie at the 16th secured his one-stroke lead over Argentina's Ricardo Gonzalez.
"I woke up this morning and just thought 'enjoy it and trust your swing,'" Slattery told reporters following his best round this season. "After the start, I made it felt like the pressure was off."
Sweden's Klas Eriksson, Argentina's Tano Goya and Spaniards Pablo Larrazabal and Pablo Martin all shot 4-under 69 to share third place.
Defending champion Peter Hanson shot 1-over 74 and is tied for 54th place.
Hanson won last year's tournament by beating Nick Dougherty and Pelle Edberg by a single stroke.
