ST-OMER, France, 18 June 2004 — Britain’s Kyron Sullivan produced a spectacular finish, picking up five strokes in his last four holes to card a five-under-par 66 and take a one-shot early lead in the Aa St-Omer Open first round yesterday.
The 27-year-old European Challenge Tour rookie had three closing birdies, followed by a chip-in eagle in the windy conditions, to give him a one-stroke lead over fellow-Briton Benn Barham.
France’s Jean-Francois Lucquin and Britain’s John Mellor are a further stroke back in the event that is now for main tour and Challenge Tour players and includes an 18-month exemption to events on the main tour for the winner.
Sullivan, only 43rd on the Challenge Tour rankings and playing in only his second full European Tour event, put his lead down to a change in his attitude.
Marc Farry, a veteran of four Dunhill Cups for France who was in Europe’s top 50 on the money-list in 1999 but has since lost his tour card, is in a group tied for fourth, three strokes off the lead.
One of the pre-tournament favorites, Alan McLean, crashed to an 81, though the 33-year-old refused to blame back pain that forced him to take painkillers.
