Kaymer’s 62 leads Open de France golf

Martin Kaymer shot 9-under-par 62 Thursday and has a three-stroke lead at the European Tour’s Open de France golf tournament in Paris.

His course-equaling round began on the back nine and started ominously with a bogey at the par-5 10th, but an eagle and eight birdies helped him tie Eduardo Romero’s 62, set in 2005.

I’ve been missing a lot of short putts, but everything came together and I hope it continues, the German said after playing through the pain of a right foot injury. The foot’s still hurting, but I will survive.

Peter Hanson, John Bickerton, Thongchai Jaidee, Rafa Echenique and Scott Strange all shot 6-under 65 and share second place.

Nick Dougherty, last week’s winner at the BMW International Open in Munich, is tied for seventh with Paul Waring at 5-under 66.

Defending champion Pablo Larrazabal shot 4-under 67 and is tied for ninth place with 11 others, while American John Daly withdrew after 16 holes at 8-over-par.