Faldo hands over reins of business and reaps reward on the course

NICK FALDO reaped the rewards of concentrating purely on his golf in the first round of the Lancome Trophy.

Faldo carded a first-round 65, six under par, at St Nom La Breteche to claim a share of second place, just one shot off the lead held by Germany's Alex Cejka.

The launch of the Nick Faldo Golf Company was indefinitely postponed on Monday and the 45-year-old has handed the running of his business affairs to management company IMG.

It is part of the six-time major winner's attempt to qualify for the Ryder Cup in 2004 after he withdrew his unofficial application to captain the side at Oakland Hills in Michigan.

''I have been dabbling in business off the course but I put so much into my golf that I need full energy on the golf course,'' Faldo said after carding eight birdies six in his first eight holes and two bogeys in his 65.

''The business was wearing me out so I thought I would leave the business to the businessmen and go off and play golf. Everything is still proceeding but we have slowed down to speed up in a way. I will take a bit more of a back seat and concentrate on the golf.

''The Ryder Cup is a really good goal. Next year could be a bit of a build-up year before the points race starts and I will have to look at my schedule to have the best possible chance to qualify."

Faldo was one of six players sharing second place, Swedish pair Richard S Johnson and Fredrik Jacobson, American Tom Gillis, Holland's Maarten Lafeber and Scotsman Dean Robertson all carding 65s. Robertson's was the most welcome name on the leaderboard as he continues his comeback after seven months out of the game suffering from clinical depression.

Since playing in the Johnnie Walker Classic at the end of January, the 32-year-old did not touch a club for months, and only made his comeback in the European Masters in September.

He missed the cut in Switzerland and two tournaments since, and will need to win more than £100,000 in the two remaining tournaments this season to retain his card for next season.

Defending champion Sergio Garcia was satisfied with an opening 68 while his three Ryder Cup team-mates were also in red figures; Paul McGinley carding a 67, Thomas Bjorn and Colin Montgomerie 69s.