McGinley blames himself for poor round in France

Paul McGinley refused to blame the tricky conditions for a disappointing opening round at the Saint-Omer Open today.

The Irishman laboured to a three-over-par 74 to finish six shots off the lead - held by Roope Kakko – on a miserably wet day in northern France.

In a week when many of his rivals are testing themselves at the US Open in San Diego, McGinley, having failed to qualify, struggled to stamp his authority on one of the European Tour’s smallest events.

The 41-year-old hit six bogeys and three birdies in an inconsistent round, but finished on a high after coming within millimetres of an eagle on the par-five last.

“It’s a difficult course but I made silly mistakes and paid the price,” said McGinley.

“I had three three-putts and a shot out of bounds and I struggled with the pace of the greens all day. They were much slower than in the pro-am yesterday.

“The weather was very tough. We played the first five holes in a complete downpour and after that it was showers.

“It was a tough day and a tough course but I prepared for it well. Three three-putts was what cost me in the end, not the course or the conditions.”

Kakko, of Finland, did not drop a shot in his round of 68 – one of only two players, alongside Englishman John Morgan, to finish bogey-free. He fired three birdies – on the fifth, ninth and 12th – to lead by one stroke.

Four players are tied for second on two under, including another Finn, Mikko Korhonen, who led for much of the day until Kakko snatched the lead with a birdie at the last.

“It was very good because I didn’t drop any shots,” said Kakko.

“I putted well and didn’t make many mistakes, which is a good thing in weather like this.

“The guys who went out early really had a terrible time but I started a little later, which was better. But the wind was still tricky.”

Kakko jokingly added: “Mikko is probably a little upset because I birdied the last hole to move one shot ahead of him so I’ll have to buy the beers tonight.”