REVIVED with new clubs North Yorkshire's Simon Dyson was back in the birdie-grabbing groove to post a healthy opening day in the Lancome Trophy.

The 24-year-old Dyson, who performed admirably in last week's Dunhill Links tournament with borrowed clubs after his set was stolen from his car, was restored to full working order with a new bag supplied by his sponsors Ping. And he was right in the swing with a three-under-par 68 to leave him just four shots off leader Alex Cejka of Germany.

The Malton and Norton star dropped a shot on the fourth hole, but then hit a purple patch towards the turn at the St Nom la Bretche course near Paris. He fired birdies at four of the next five holes to regain the initiative.

After starting the inward nine with five straight pars Dyson wobbled with a bogey on the 15th hole. But he instantly retrieved his round by birdying the 541-yard par five 16th - the longest hole on the course - to put him in contention at the start of today's second round.

Updated: 10:56 Friday, October 11, 2002