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Haeggman's outside-agent

ANDALUCIA OPEN : Joakim Haeggman survived an attack from an angry goose to lie just two shots off the lead after the first round…

Fri May 11 2007 - 01:00

ANDALUCIA OPEN: Joakim Haeggman survived an attack from an angry goose to lie just two shots off the lead after the first round of the Valle Romano Open de Andalucia.

Haeggman was playing the 18th hole at Aloha Golf Club when he was set upon and forced to defend himself in extraordinary fashion.

"I slapped him right in the face!" said the Swede. "He wanted to have a go at me so I had no choice.

"It's the first time I've ever had to slap a goose on a golf course."

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The bizarre incident occurred next to the lake on the left of the fairway but Haeggman maintained his composure to save par from the back of the green on his way to an opening 67 - five under par.

That was good enough for a five-way share of third place, two behind surprise leader Matthew Zions of Australia.

Spain's Alejandro Canizares claimed outright second with a six-under 66.

David Higgins fired a three-under-par 69 while Ryder Cup team-mates Paul McGinley and Lee Westwood had to settle for rounds of 71 and 72 respectively.

Higgins had halves of 33 and 36, dropping just one shot to par at the 11th, while Damien McGrane is on the same mark as McGinley.

CHALLENGE TOUR: Michael Hoey continued his spectacular run of form on the European Challenge Tour with a brilliant bogey-free opening score of eight-under-par 64 at the AGF Allianz Golf Open de Toulouse yesterday to move into a share of the lead.

The 28-year-old, who won the last Challenge Tour event in Italy three weeks ago, crafted a fine first round to join German Christian Reimbold at the top of the leaderboard.

"I played solid again today - I had no bogeys on the card which is something that you are always pleased with," said Hoey, who is currently eighth on the Challenge Tour Rankings.

Stephen Browne, Michael McGeady and Colm Moriarty, who won on the Europro Tour last week, all went under par for the first round at the Golf de Toulouse-Seilh.

LET TOUR: England's Rebecca Hudson fired a course record seven-under-par 65 to lead after yesterday's first round of the Ladies Spanish Open at Club de Campo Mediterráneo in Castellon.

England's Kirsty Taylor and France's Gwladys Nocera shared second position after a pair of 66s.

Claire Coughlan shot a one-over-par 73, with Rebecca Coakley on 74 and Martina Gillen on 75.