Ex-van driver Dean delivers the goods in Open de France

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Ex-van driver Dean delivers the goods in Open de France



Despite not playing the daunting back nine at Le Golf National in practice, Dean covered it in two-under-par on Thursday and carded an eagle and two more birdies on the front nine to finish six-under. 

Dean’s total was matched by Sweden’s Jesper Svensson and Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen, with home favourite Adrien Saddier missing from two feet for birdie on the 18th in fading light to make it a four-way tie. 

Ukrainian teenager Lev Grinberg was part of a five-way tie for fourth place on five-under, with former world No.1 Justin Rose another stroke back following a 67. 

Dean was working as a delivery driver for British supermarket chain Morrisons in February before finishing second in the Kenyan Open, since when he has recorded four other top-five finishes, including losing out in a three-man play-off at the Dutch Open. 

“Good, stress-free golf,” the 30-year-old said of his opening round in Paris. 

“Tried keeping it in the fairways. The rough is quite juicy out there so fairway golf is pretty key. 

“Seeing how much rain it’s had over the last 24 hours, to be playing is an astonishment in itself. The greens are really good. Arguably I’d say some of the best we’ve played this year, and after all the rain, as well, it’s fantastic.” 

American star Billy Horschel, who defeated Rory McIlroy in a play-off to win the European Tour’s flagship PGA Championship for the second time last month, could only return a one-over-par 72.

The only Australian in the field, David Micheluzzi, shot a one-over 72, a round ruined by a triple-bogey seven at the 15th. It left him in joint-73rd position after the opening day of action.

– Phil Casey


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