Joakim Backstrom leads with record round - Telecom Italia Open 2007

A faultless 10-under-par 62, a shot better than the previous record, left the tall Swede ahead of Austrian Markus Brier with Japan's Taichi Teshima a further stroke back.

Backstrom fired two eagles and six birdies and beat his career-best score by two strokes.

The 29-year-old has suffered injury problems for 14 years and had difficulty even walking five years ago. He battles lower-back compacted discs with frequent training programmes.

After beating Britain's Paul Dwyer in a playoff at St Omer two years ago in an event run with the Challenge Tour, Backstrom is looking for a more prestigious title and is happy that he is getting fitter each week.

"I began with an eagle, but I've done that before and never shot a 62, so that was nice to do.

"St Omer was good but I'm working hard to become a really good golfer, so this is a good start.

"I've had my injury problems for 14 years -- I grew a foot taller in 18 months when I was 15 and my muscles didn't grow at the same time.

"My back can get very tired and sore but if I do my training programmes two or three times a week the problem will eventually right itself."

Brier, who followed up his maiden European Tour win in the 2006 Austrian Open with victory in the China Open last month, birdied the last four holes.

He said: "I don't get nervous now if I get one birdie after another and I'm not afraid of low scores."

Teshima, in his rookie season, beat his European Tour best score by a stroke, coming home with a 64.

Britain's James Heath, Spaniard Alvaro Quiros and South African Andrew McLardy share fourth place after 65s.

Two of the guest players from the U.S., Tom Lehman and Duffy Waldorf, both spoiled their rounds at the 18th.

Waldorf was only three off the lead but found the hazard at the last to slip back with a 67.

Last year's beaten Ryder Cup captain Lehman bogeyed the last for a 70 after sparking his round with an eagle-two at the 13th where he pitched in with a seven-iron from 165 yards.

Last year's champion and one of the home favourites, Francesco Molinari, also bogeyed the final hole for a 67. Last week's Spanish Open winner Charl Schwartzel of South Africa is on the same mark.

Play began on time despite heavy thunderstorms on Wednesday night.