HEREFORD'S David Park was lying in joint 67th place after a first round level par 71 in the Madrid Open -- one shot below the projected cut mark.

Swiss golfer Julien Clement set the pace with a seven-under-par 64. The 23-year-old is down in 174th place on the European Tour Order of Merit this season and this is his last chance to keep his card for next year.

For that he has to finish first or second and after eight birdies on the opening day - and only one bogey - he led by two overnight from Australian Terry Price and Swede Johan Edfors, himself only 158th on the money list.

Clement has had low rounds before. After a 63 at last year's Spanish Open he was one off the lead, but closed with a 76 and slumped to 44th.