VERSAILLES, France, June 26 (UPI) -- Eric Chaudouet became the fourth amateur to lead the first round of a European Tour event by firing a 6-under 66 Thursday at the French Open.
The 2002 French Amateur champion, Chaudouet was unfazed by his first appearance on the circuit, posting a bogey-free round before Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium and Philip Golding of England caught him to share the lead.
The 25-year-old Chaudouet, who represented France last year in the World Championships, joined Niels Boysen, Anders Hultman and Krister Kinell as amateurs to lead after the first round of a European event.
Spain's Pablo Martin is the only amateur to have led in the latter stages of a tournament, having topped the leaderboard after three rounds at the Canarias Open de Espana earlier this year. He tied for fourth.
