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Carter earns share of lead at Russian Open

24/07/2008

England's David Carter find himself in a four-way tie for the lead of the Russian Open after carding a seven-under-par first round of 65.

The Johannesburg-born golfer, who now lives in Bagshot, Surrey, was bogey-free on the first day of the tournament in Moscow.

He fired five birdies in consecutive holes between the first and fifth, after teeing off from the tenth, to join Swedish players Joakim Backstrom and Fredrik Henge and Finland's Roope Kakko atop the leaderboard at the Meridien Moscow course.

South African Darren Fichardt is fifth after signing for a six-under-par 66 on day one, while a group of ten players – including Wales' Garry Houston, England's Andrew Marshall and Spaniard Jose Manuel Lara – are a further shot back on five under.

Coming just seven days after the Open Championship, and with many players taking a rest week to recover, the field in Moscow is less than inspiring.

However, there remain a few well-known names in the lineup.

Danish players Markus Brier (-1) and Maarten Lafeber (even par), Scotland's Gary Orr (-1) and England's Mark Foster (-1) all remain in touching distance of the leaders at this early stage.

Although they will likely be harbouring fears of the cut, which is likely to be set at two- or three-under-par after the second round tomorrow.