Remesy makes wrong sort of splash

After the shock of hitting his opening drive into water Jean-Francois Remesy held off Australian Richard Green to take a one-stroke lead into the final nine holes of the French Open at Le Golf National near Paris today.

Trying to be the first home winner since Jean Garaialde in 1969, Remesy was three ahead overnight and after the double bogey at the first he played the next eight in one under to turn 11 under.

Green was only one behind, but then found a lake off the 10th tee.

They were well clear of the chasing pack, led by Green’s fellow countryman and fellow left-hander Nick O’Hern on five under.

Ian Woosnam chipped into the water for a triple-bogey six on the second and with nine to play was joint fourth in a group on three under which also included Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell after a new course record of 64.