England’s Lee Slattery was first off the tee at the Swedish Masters on Thursday and then tamed the monster Barseback course to take a one-shot lead in the first round.

Slattery, still seeking a maiden European Tour win and who lost his tour card in 2007, fired a six under par 67 on the imposing 7665-yard course, the longest in European Tour history.

The Englishman is a shot ahead of Argentina's Ricardo Gonzalez.

"I've not been playing my best and I woke up and just thought 'enjoy it and trust your swing’," said Slattery after a round containing only 22 putts.

"After making the start I did it just felt like the pressure was off. The field is not as strong this week, so it's a chance to do well and secure my card - although I'm trying not to think about that."

Australian Brett Rumford joined Slattery on six under, but then ran up a closing triple bogey seven after losing his first drive and being forced to chop out of the trees with his second.

Joint third are Argentina's Tano Goya, Spaniards Pablo Martin and Pablo Larrazabal and Swede Klas Eriksson.

AFP

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