COPENHAGEN, 9 August 2003 — Gregory Havret kept France on top of the Nordic Open leaderboard yesterday, following compatriot Raphael Jacquelin’s first-day 62 with a 63 in the second round for an early two-stroke lead.
Havret surged overall to 13-under-par 131, his first serious showing since winning the 2001 Italian Open, his maiden European Tour title.
He was two strokes better than Sweden’s Patrik Sjoland and two Britons, ex-Ryder Cup player David Gilford, and David Lynn who won a Challenge Tour event at this course in 1997.
Home favorite Thomas Bjorn shrugged aside a neck ache to shoot a 69 and lie five strokes off the pace. The other favorite in Denmark, Colin Montgomerie, and first round leader Jacquelin, were afternoon starters.
Since winning in Sardinia two years ago, 26-year-old Havret’s fortunes have plummeted and he lies only 135th on the European money-list, in danger of losing his card.
However, a switch from his original teacher Anne le Conniat to a new coach, former French tour player Fabrice Tarnaud, has turned his game around.
He said: “I wanted a more consistent game even after winning in Sardinia but I think I did the wrong things, not psychologically but technically. I began working with Fabrice this year and we started new work and things are improving now.”
Sjoland, a winner in 1998 and 2000 but languishing in 134th place on the money-list, just one spot above Havret, is another returning to contention after a long time in the wilderness.
“This is the first time I’ve been satisfied with a result since I won at Ballybunion (Irish Open) in 2000,” said the Swede.
Gilford, a Ryder Cup player in 1991 and 1995, has been out of the limelight for much longer. He had his seventh and last win in 1994.
Love Surges Clear at The International
At Castle Rock, Colorado, Davis Love III shot a nine-under-par 63 to take a healthy lead after the first round of The International on Thursday in an event using the modified Stableford scoring format.
Love amassed 10-birdies against just one bogey to finish the round on 19 points, five ahead of Charles Howell III and seven in front of Bob Tway and Jonathan Kaye.
Love said: “It’s the most points I’ve ever had in one day. I only hit one bad tee shot, one bad wedge and one bad six-iron. I couldn’t hit it or putt it much better.”
Playing partner Greg Norman, who won this event in 1989, said: “He hit it long and straight and he never missed a putt. Everything was right in the middle of the hole.”
Howell played in the easier morning conditions and shot a flawless seven-under 65 for his 14 points.
“Any time you go off early here, you need to make a bunch of birdies,” he said.
Among the other big names, Masters champion Mike Weir of Canada compiled nine points, Phil Mickelson eight and South Africa’s Ernie Els four.
Thirteen players did not complete the round due to a weather delay of nearly two hours. They were to conclude their opening 18 holes the next morning before the second round.
