GOLF:NO FEWER than four players – including Ireland's Damien McGrane, England's James Ruebotham, Swede Rikard Karlberg and South African Jaco Van Zyl – were disqualified for taking a wrong drop during yesterday's opening round of the French Open.

The offences all took place beside the water hazard at the 18th at Le Golf National outside Paris.

McGrane had reached the final hole on level par, but sent his approach into the lake and then played from the wrong spot after taking a penalty.

Because the four left the recording area, unaware they had broken the rule, they were effectively disqualified for signing for a wrong score.

Players had been informed of the correct way to drop the ball at 18 in sheets handed to them before play and on notice-boards.

“One player said he had read the notice explaining how to drop the ball correctly but forgot it and the other three said they had not read the notice,” European Tour chief referee Andy McFee told reporters.

“This rule was in force last year and we didn’t have one disqualification. I’m bemused.”

McGrane held up his hands, saying: “I didn’t read the notices and my caddie misinterpreted them.”

England’s Graeme Storm had no such misfortune and is in the hunt for a second French Open victory after starting with a six-under-par 65.

Back on the course where the 2018 Ryder Cup will be played, the 33-year-old from Hartlepool is tied for the lead with Australian left-hander Richard Green.

Storm’s win in 2007 is his only one in more than 250 European Tour starts.

“There’s always added pressure when you come back,” said the former British Amateur champion, who was a Walker Cup team-mate of world number one Luke Donald and Paul Casey in 1999.

“People say you’ve won and you like the course. Don’t get me wrong – it is fantastic to know you’ve done it – but you still have to put the work in.”

Armed with a new driver and putter, Storm, ranked 258 places below Donald, did not drop a stroke and drew level when he birdied the 484-yard 17th while Green bogeyed it.

Both will be at the British Open. Green earned an exemption from his place on last year’s European Tour money list, while Storm won the qualifier at Sunningdale three weeks ago after a brilliant 62.

Gareth Maybin was best of the Irish on one under, while Paul McGinley showed a bit of form with three birdies and three bogeys in his 72.