JOHN Bickerton posted a level-par 71 to keep alive hopes of a successful defence of his French Open title.
The Droitwich golfer started at the 10th at Le Golf National and was off to a flier with birdies at his opening hole followed by another at the 15th.
But Bickerton turned in 35 after a double-bogey six at the 18th.
He picked up further shots at the fourth and fifth but slipped back with bogeys at seven and eight.
Hereford's David Park fell away late on after a promising start and finished the round on a two-over-par 73.
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