Open de Saint Omer 2007

Two Australians featured prominently in the St Omer Open first round on Thursday, with David Bransdon sharing the lead and Simon Nash one stroke adrift.

Bransdon has had a successful four days. He qualified for the French Open on Monday and Tuesday before carding a six-under 65 here to tie for the lead with Ireland's David Higgins.

"I've not played golf in France before so the last few days have been great," Bransdon told reporters after a round which included five successive birdies on his front nine.

Victory will earn the New South Wales professional his 2008 tour card. He now stands 119th on the European money-list.

Higgins, like Bransdon without a tour title to his name, was the first player to set the six-under target.

The Irishman credited his father Liam, a former European Tour player, and brother Brian, his coach, for sharpening up his game recently.

While the two leaders had their round interrupted by a lengthy thunderstorm, Nash produced his 66 in the morning.

The Queenslander is also struggling to gain his 2008 tour card, lying 150th on the money-list.

Pre-tournament favourite Jean-Francois Remesy's form hit the buffers again, the Frenchman slumping to a 75 after reviving his game with a second-place finish at the Austrian Open last Sunday.