Eagle gives Hansen overnight lead

Anders Hansen claimed the lead after the first round of the 2009 European Open on Thursday, eagling the 17th hole to go into the second round with a 7-under score of 65.

“It was great to shoot a seven-under round,” Hansen told reporters after the round. “It was very nice. Seven-under is always special. It beats three- or four-under. I’m really happy.”

Peter Hanson, Aiken, Jyoti Randhawa and Sam Little were a shot further back after the first day of action from the Heritage Course at London Golf Club. Another six players finished the day tied for 6th place on scores of 5-under 67.

High profile players at the tournament didn’t have the happiest of days on Thursday, with Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy tied for 25th place on 3 under. Lee Westwood and Colin Montgomerie were a shot further back, while 2009 US Masters champion, Angel Carbrera had to be content with an even-par.

“It’s just one of those things where you are not quite 100 percent sure whether it’s going to work out or not but I hit it beautifully,” Hansen said of the chip shot that gave him an eagle and the overnight lead. “Had it not gone in, I think it was going to be pretty close anyway, but it worked out beautiful.”