Kaymer plays through pain to lead in Paris
Martin Kaymer played through the pain barrier
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Thursday, 02, Jul 2009 09:59
Martin Kaymer put in a remarkable performance to fire a course record equalling first round nine-under-par 62 to lead at the Paris Open.
The German was suffering from blisters on his feet and needed to cut a hole in his shoe to enable to play the round. He got off to a poor start as he could only manage a bogey in the first hole, but then went on a brilliant run.
Kaymer putted five birdies in the first nine holes and then hit an eagle and three more birdies on the back nine to finish on nine-under.
"I've been missing a lot of short putts, but everything came together - and I hope it continues," Kaymer said.
"The foot's still hurting, but I will survive. Yesterday when I was practising it was unbelievable pain, but now I don't worry about it."
Kaymer has a three shot lead over five players, including Englishman John Bickerton who won the tournament in 2006.
Padraig Harrington had another difficult day and is in danger of missing his fifth cut in a row. The Irishman could only manage a one-over round. But the Open winner insisted he was "encouraged" with his performance – two weeks before he defends the claret jug at Turnberry.
Ian Poulter was paired alongside his Ryder Cup team-mate Harrington and he to carded a disappointing round of one-over.
Nick Dougherty, fresh from his win in Munich on Sunday, is in contention after he carded a round of five-under, while Colin Montgomerie had a decent round of two-under-par 69.