PARIS, July 1 (UPI) -- Robert-Jan Derksen shot 8-under-par 63 Thursday and took a three-stroke lead after the first round of the European Tour's Alstom Open de France in Paris.
Derksen's bogey-free round included five birdies in a six-hole span. Alejandro Canizares, Martin Kaymer and Jean Van de Velde are tied for second at 5-under.
Marcel Siem, whose round included two bogeys and a double bogey to go with eight birdies, was in a group of five players tied for fifth at 4-under 67.
Derksen started on the back nine and was 1-under after four holes. He ran off a three consecutive birdies on 14-16 and, after a par at the 17th hole, birdied Nos. 18 and 1 to get to 6-under for the day. He added birdies at sixth and ninth holes.
Van de Velde didn't have a bogey. Canizares and Kaymer each had six birdies and one bogey. Canizares jumped into contention with consecutive birdies on Nos. 14-17.
