Drysdale leads the way in Russia

Scotland's David Drysdale fired 10-under-par 62 to equal the course record and take a one-stroke lead after the first round at the Russian Open today.

The 31-year-old, still looking for his first European Tour victory, had a near flawless round with an eagle on the par-five 15th hole and nine birdies. His bogey at the sixth, meant he matched the record set by England's Iain Pyman in 2002 when he won the last of his two titles here.

"I love this golf course," said Drysdale, who tied for third last year - his best finish on the European Tour. "I played really well. I played really well last year and then in practice here on Tuesday and I managed to continue that today."

Spain's Carlos Rodiles also had nine birdies to trail Drysdale by one while South African James Kingston and Spaniard Francis Valera were tied for third, three strokes back.

Rodiles, who has struggled this year, was pleased with his performance.

"It feels pretty good especially with the kind of year that I'm having," he said. "Things have not gone too well for me so far, but it's starting to get better."

Gary Murphy is best-placed of the Irish quartet in a tie for eighth on five under. That leaves hm three ahead of Stepehen Browne, David Higgins and Michael Hoey who all shot 70s to be tied 33^rd.

Sweden's Fredrik Andersson and another Spaniard Alejandro Canizares, who shared the lead after early starters had completed the opening round under blue skies and bright sunshine at the Moscow Country Club in suburban Nakhabino, dropped to fifth place with six-under-par.

Defending champion Mikael Lundberg of Sweden and England's Andrew Butterfield whom the Swede beat in a sudden-death playoff last year to win his maiden European Tour title, trailed the leader by six after both shooting 66.

NHL All-Star Alexei Kovalev, who captained Russia's ice hockey team at this year's Turin Olympics, was trying his luck as one of only four amateurs in the 111-strong field.

The right wing, who plays for the Montreal Canadiens, finished the day at eight over par.

This year the Russian Open became a fully fledged European Tour event for the first time in its 13-year history with €1million in total prize money.