Lomas makes it look easy

Jonathan Lomas claimed anything would seem relatively easy after last week’s US Open and that is the way it looked at the start of the French Open at Le Golf National near Paris today.

The 37-year-old Englishman, who made the cut in his first major in America, had four birdies in his first five holes.

Unfortunately, there was also a bogey six at the long third and so on three under par Lomas shared top spot with Devon left-hander Stuart Little by one. Little opened with three straight birdies.

Lomas’ confidence had to be boosted not only by his own performance, but also by the fact that New Zealander Michael Campbell won the title.

Two weeks ago Campbell had to birdie the last hole at Walton Heath to win the US Open qualifier. Lomas breezed through it in joint first place.

Five years ago he was close to a second European tour win on this week’s course, but Colin Montgomerie eagled two of the last five holes to beat him.

Montgomerie, another who has moved straight on from Pinehurst, began his 42nd birthday with two pars, while just ahead of him Jose Maria Olazabal birdied the short 11th.

Olazabal said yesterday he knew nothing about reports that Seve Ballsteros could be about to hand over to him the captaincy of the Continental Europe team against Montgomerie’s Britain and Ireland side for the Seve Trophy at The Wynyard in Durham in September.

“I’m pretty sure that if Seve was thinking about it he would call me,” said Olazabal. “I’ve not heard a thing.”

Because of an arthritic back and knee problems Ballesteros has not played competitively since November 2003. He has entered for the Open at St Andrews next month, but whether he plays remains to be seen.

Part of the Seve Trophy format is that the two captains clash in the singles and on a possible change of opponent Montgomerie commented: “It appears that way, but it’s up to Seve. He started this.

“I don’t mind whether it’s Seve, Olly, Garcia or whoever.”