Orr on the up

Scotland’s Gary Orr led the challenge to overtake the French Open’s first-round leader John Bickerton after moving to within two shots of top spot.

The 39-year-old had five birdies in 12 holes and that took him to six under for the tournament, within touching distance of Droitwich’s Bickerton.

However, the leader – and second-placed Michael Campbell – are among the afternoon starters and it is unlikely Orr’s current score will be enough to steal the lead at the end of the second day.

But the Scot was putting together the round of the day having picked up his first shot at the par-five third, which was the start of a run of four birdies in seven holes which took him to the turn in 32.

Sweden’s Peter Gustafsson, who started three under, also reached six under after birdies at the third, ninth and 11th.

European number one David Howell carded his first birdie in 18 holes with a three at the 416-yard first – his 10th.

He handed back the shot at the next but then had two successive birdies - although it did little to improve his score as, after yesterday’s 78 – which included a quadruple-bogey eight – he was nine over par.

Playing partner Ian Poulter had his fair share of scrapes this morning with a lost ball costing him a double-bogey seven at the 585-yard 15th.

Two birdies on his card, together with two bogeys, meant he dropped to one under and perilously close to the predicted cut of level par.

But three players who will definitely not feature at the weekend are Ireland’s Philip Walton, who missed his tee time after mistakenly thinking he was off at 9.50am local time – 20 minutes later than scheduled – while Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam pulled out citing a bad back and Barry Lane retired mid-round with a stomach upset.

Seve Ballesteros, in his first tournament since October, began with seven straight pars but then had three in as many holes before three successive double bogeys dropped him to 19 over and last place.