Finland's Kakko takes lead at 3 under in Saint-Omer Open

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SAINT-OMER, France (AP) -- Roope Kakko of Finland shot a bogey-free 3-under 68 to take a one-stroke lead Thursday in the opening round of the Saint-Omer Open.

"I was really pleased with my round, and not dropping any shots was the key," Kakko said. "I putted well and didn't make many mistakes."

Kakko was one of the few players without a bogey on the 6,845-yard course, all the more remarkable because of the heavy wind and occasional rain that made for a tricky day.

The Finn, ranked 792nd in the world, had three birdies and led a quarter a stroke back: Adrien Bernardet of France, Mikko Korhonen of Finland, and Marcus Higley and John E. Morgan of Britain.

Korhonen missed an opportunity to share the lead with his compatriot when he bogeyed the last hole.

Steven Jeppesen of Sweden was sixth, two strokes off the lead, tied with Jan-Are Larsen of Norway and Gareth Maybin of Northern Ireland.

Former champion Cesario Monasterio of Argentina, who won in 2006, was 3 under through seven with two birdies and an eagle but took a double bogey on No. 16 and finished with an even-par 71.