Finch, Lucquin lead after Day 1 of Mercedes golf

PULHEIM, Germany (AP) -Richard Finch and Jean-Francois Lucquin shared the lead after the first round of the Mercedes Benz Championship, both shooting 6-under 66 Thursday.

Finch, who won the Irish Open in May, birdied five of his first seven holes, followed that with two bogeys, and then managed to get four more birdies on the back nine.

"I am very pleased and delighted," the 31-year-old Englishman said. "It's the first time I played the tournament and I am glad I just gave myself a chance for all these birdies."

Robert Karlsson (67), one of four European players using the event to warm up for the Ryder Cup, which takes place next week at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, was third.

"I am looking forward to the next weekend," Karlsson said. "But I am happy I have three more days to play this weekend."

Ross Fisher was next on the leaderboard at 68. Anders Hansen and James Kingston shared fifth place at 69.

Defending champion Soren Hansen, another member of the Ryder Cup team, shot a 1-over 73 in his attempt to become the first player to retain the title on the 7,289-yard Gut Larchenhof course.

The other two members of Europe's Ryder Cup team competing in the tournament were Graeme McDowell and Miguel Angel Jimenez, who both finished at even-par 72.

Fred Couples and John Daly started strong but faded late. Couples (75) made an eagle on his first hole and a birdie on his second. Daly (73) birdied his first two holes.

Retief Goosen, the 2005 champion, shot a 4-over 76, and four-time champion Bernhard Langer (70) birdied two of his last three holes.