KILDARE, Ireland, July 5 (UPI) -- Maarten Lafeber Thursday shot a 6-under-par 64 for a one-shot lead after one round of the European Tour's European Open Golf Tournament at Kildare, Ireland.
On a rain-soaked K Club golf course near Dublin, the native of the Netherlands made six birdies in a bogey-free round.
The course was not as difficult as normal because it was shortened at several water-logged holes before the tournament started.
The leader did not agree.
"It is very tough," Lafeber said. "As soon as you go in the rough, you are going to be plugged or in a really deep lie and struggling to get on the green."
Four players -- BMW International Open winner Niclas Fasth, Robert Rock, Gregory Havret, and Jyoti Randhawa -- all shot 5-under 65 to trail by one shot heading into Friday's second round.
Three others -- Stephen Dodd, Soren Kjeldesen, and Patrik Sjoland -- are tied for sixth place at 4-under 66.
