Ryan Fox finished with four birdies and an eagle in his final six holes to smash the course record with a nine under par round of 62 to lead by one shot from Robert Coles after the first round of Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge.

The NewZealander made his Major Championship debut at St Andrews lastweek, finishing in the top 50 of The Open Championship after a fine 67 inthe final round, and he continued that form in France.

The 28 yearold is only playing in his fourth European Challenge Tour event but recordedtop ten finishes in his first two tournaments, and he believes he is in strongenough form to win this week.

"I amobviously pretty happy after that," he said. "I played great all day and gotpretty hot on the back nine. I had a couple of nice ones to finish and it wasjust a good day all round.

"This is myfourth event in Europe, and last week at The Open was a great week. I playedgreat in the last round and I’ve managed to keep that going here.

"I feltthat every part of my game has been really close to firing well. For a whileI’ve put some good scores on the board without shooting a really low one.

"Today Isaw everything finally come together. The putter worked and my ball strikingwas good, so I’m really pleased with my game right now and looking forward tothe weekend."

The New Zealander now has a one shot lead after the first round.

Fox who is a two time winner on the PGA Tour of Australasia is renowned for being able to shot low numbers.

Most recently he fired a bogey free 8-under, highlighted by back-to-back eagles, to win the Queensland PGA Championship in February.

Back on the Challenge Tour, Aussie Scott Arnold who also made his Open Championship debut last week is six shots back of Fox and in a tie for 19th.

While Geoff Drakeford, who finished runner-up on the Challenge Tour last week, struggled to a 3-over 74 to be well down the leaderboard.