Team France has taken the early lead in the 2024 European Team Championship for Golfers with Disability.
After the first of three rounds of competition at Golf Club Hösel in Northwestern Germany, the French team holds a six-stroke advantage over a field of eight teams.
LEADERBOARD - TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
The biennial competition is being contested for the first time since the introduction of new restrictions on the makeup of the teams, which requires at least one player from both sexes and one player from each of the four sports disability Bands.
On Day 1, the four-player teams split into two pairs to play foursomes (alternate shot), with both scores counting at the end of the day.
France managed the lowest individual, and total, score of the day. Playing in the first group, Philippe Pee Dit Grabet and Mathieu Cauneau carded a steady round of 77 (+6) to set the pace for the remaining pairs. An 84 (+13) from their compatriots totalled +19 for the team, and puts them in pole position after the opening round.
England (+25) and the Netherlands (+30) are currently their closest competitors in second and third position, while defending champions, Ireland (+32) are still well in contention for the podium spots.
Friday will see the teams pair-up again for greensomes, ahead of the final day fourballs.
In the European Nations' Cup, a parallel team competition for a second group of players contested using net stableford scores, Italy lead the way on +6 points ahead of Ireland (-1p) and England (-4p).
