Henry heads the early hunters in Finland

Scott Henry’s strong tee-to-green game met with a hot putter on the first morning of the Vierumӓki Finnish Challenge as seven birdies saw him sign for a six under par 66, one behind the early leader Jérôme Lando Casanova.

The Scot is enjoying a good fortnight in Scandinavia, having finished in a tie for sixth at last week’s Swedish Challenge hosted by Robert Karlsson, and he was happy with his opening round at Vierumӓki Resort.

“It was a really good round,” said the 29 year old. “I played well all day really and I actually feel like I could have been a few shots better but I’m not going to grumble – if you play the way I did you’re going to have a lot of chances and the law of averages says you’re not going to hole them all.

“I was really happy, tee to green was great, and hopefully I can keep hitting it like that over the next three days and roll a few putts in too.

“I think the greens being a bit softer makes it a bit easier, and they rolled ok today – you could certainly hole a few putts and I felt like I had my eye in on them, even though I missed a few.

“I have been playing quite well all year, really, but just not quite putting it together over four days. In Slovakia I was tied for the lead going into the final round and shot one over, and that just kills you on these courses, but hopefully this week I can get in contention and play better than I did then.”

Four years ago, on his only previous visit to Finland, Henry also had a good week, finishing in a tie for 13^th, and – despite the sighting on course of a bear and two of its cubs earlier in the week – he is comfortable in these picturesque surroundings.

“It suits my game here,” he said. “Pretty much all the par fours you’re hitting driver so, although I’m trying to tone down my driver swings a bit, I’m still hitting it a decent distance and the main priority is getting it on the fairway.

“That’s what I did today, and if you’re hitting it 300 and putting it on the fairway it makes the course much easier than for most guys who will play it, but it’s easier said than done.

“I did play well when I was here before – it must be four years ago now. But I remember it, I had a couple of good rounds and I really like it here – it’s got beautiful countryside, just need to make sure you don’t get attacked by a bear!”