France’s Clément Berardo recorded an incredible nine birdies to share the clubhouse lead with England’s Andrew Johnston midway through the opening round of the Nordea Masters.
Qualifying School graduate Berardo, who has already finished third in Morocco during an impressive start to his rookie campaign, overcame four bogeys to shoot a five under par 67 at Bro Hof Slott Golf Club.
Berardo’s round was in stark contrast to Johnston’s as the Open de España winner returned a flawless card, with a closing birdie at the long ninth giving him a share of the lead.
Lee Westwood, looking to create history by claiming a fourth victory in the event, made an excellent start to be in the group just a shot behind on four under.
The former World Number One won the first of his 23 European Tour titles in the event in 1996 and also tasted success in 2000 and 2012, as well as finishing runner-up in 2001.
The last of those wins came at this week's venue and a repeat performance from the nine-time Ryder Cup player would make him the first to win the event four times, with Colin Montgomerie and Seve Ballesteros having also won on three occasions.
Starting on the back nine alongside home favourites Henrik Stenson and Rikard Karlberg, Westwood birdied the tenth and 12th before dropping a shot on the next, but bounced back with birdies on the 14th and 18th to reach the turn in three under.
A birdie from ten feet at the ninth ensured Westwood finished with a 68, while Karlberg, who finished runner-up in the BMW PGA Championship on Sunday after a closing 65 which featured a hole-in-one, shot 70 and World Number Six Stenson recovered from being three over through 13 holes to shoot a level par 72.
Westwood’s compatriot Ross Fisher also went round in 68, while out on the course Scotland’s Scott Henry was five under through 14 holes and France’s Sébastien Gros and England’s Oliver Wilson were both four under with three to play.
