Christian Nilsson fired seven birdies during a first-round 65 to claim a one-shot lead at the Russian Open.
Bogey-free 65 puts Swede one clear
Christian Nilsson collected seven birdies during a first-round 65 to claim a one-shot lead at the Russian Open.
The Swede picked up five shots during a front-nine of 31, and collected further birdies at the 15th and 17th to complete a bogey-free round at Le Meridien Moscow Country Club.
That left Nilsson one ahead of Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Gonnet and two clear of England's Sam Little and Gary Murphy of Ireland.
Nilsson satisfied
"I am very pleased with that," said Nilsson.
"I hit most of the greens and fairways and played very steadily. I made a few putts as well so it was a great round for me.
"I've played all right recently and had a few good starts with a few good first rounds but I fell back a couple of times.
"But it feels all right at the moment, I made a few putts which has been my problem."
Richie Ramsay of Scotland began his professional career with a two-under-par 70, a positive start for last year's US Amateur champion.
