Gary Emerson's battle to keep his European Tour card took a turn for the worse at the 153-yard seventh hole at Saint-Nom-La-Breteche yesterday.

The 38-year-old Salisbury golfer who needs a good finish in this week's Trophee Lancome to move into the top 115 and earn his playing rights for next season, was well on course until he came to the tricky par three.

At three under Emerson, with just three to play, was in a tie for 15th place - but he fell like a stone down the field after suffering a quadruple bogey seven at the seventh.

He regained his composure to pick up a fifth birdie of the day at the ninth, his last hole, to finish level par for his first round.

Hampshire's Justin Rose was cruising along with Emerson at three under when he, too, hit trouble down the finishing stretch where he bogeyed the 17th and 18th to finish one under par.

Rose had opened up brightly with birdies at the first, sixth and eighth holes and his birdie count went on to reach five. Unfortunately they were outweighed by four dropped shots.

Stoneham tournament professional Richard Bland made a great start, reaching three under after just six holes. He gave them all back but, thanks to his fourth birdie of the day at the 16th, he finished one under. Germany's Alex Cejka led the tournament at seven under with Nick Faldo among the group at one shot back.