France, June 27: Justin Rose denied himself a top five position at the first round of the French Open after being penalised for treading on his own ball. The 22-year-old, who finished tied for fifth at the US Open a fortnight ago, incurred a one-stroke penalty for the infringement which left him tied for eighth, two shots off the lead.
The incident came after he drove into the rough on the 470-yard 17th, with the player admitting that chatting to his playing partner Ian Poulter cost him.
"We were talking and the next thing I knew I stood on my ball", said Rose. "It was sitting right down and I thought it was a bit further up. That's the first time I've done it".

The lead is held by three players, England's Philip Golding, Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts and French amateur Eric Chaudouet.

Golding is best known for making a record 16 trips to the European Tour qualifying school.

Chaudouet, a 25-year-old from near Lyon, became only the fifth amateur to lead a full tour event at the end of a day's play.

Bureau Report