The first round of the European Senior Men's and Ladies' Championships has been completed at Golf de Morfontaine in France.
144 competitors (90 men and 54 ladies) teed off today for the first of three rounds of stroke play in the over-50s event.
Germany's Martin Birkholz has taken the early lead in the men's competition. The 2018 champion carded a four-under-par 66 in round one to open up a three stroke lead.
Tied for second are Mattias Pernheden (SWE), Bart Nolte (NED), and Eric Lespinasse (FRA), who all returned scores of 69 (-1) on day one.
Two time European Mid-Amateur champion, Richard Heath, sits six shots back after opening with a round of 72 (+2). The Australian is competing in his first European Senior Men's Championship this week.
In the ladies' event, Xonia Wunsch (SPA) and Florence Gruchet (FRA) lead the field. The Spanish and French players signed for scores of 73 (+3) on Friday at Golf de Morfontaine.
Marie-Ange Michaud (FRA) and Stephanie Kiefer (GER) are just one shot behind on +4.
Two former European Senior Ladies' Champions are inside the top-10 following day one. Spain's Macarena Campomanes, a three-time winner of the event, is tied for fifth position on +5. Germany's Susanne Lichtenberg, who won the 2018 championship, is in a tie for eighth on +6.
In round 2 on Saturday, players will look to make it inside the top-36 in the men's and the top-24 in the ladies' events to make the cut for Sunday's final round.
Full scores and the round 2 tee-times can be found on the event page.
