Colin Montgomerie appeared to have forgotten that his last competitive round was an 82 as he began the French Open today with three birdies in four holes and led the field.

Returning to the Golf National course near Paris where he triumphed in 2000 Montgomerie pitched to four feet on the 383-yard 10th and then, turning into a testing wind, hit a perfect drive and approach to 12 feet on the 443-yard 12th before picking up another three — his fourth in a row — on the dogleg next.

At three under par the Scot, who celebrated his 44th birthday last Saturday, was one ahead of a group including South African James Kingston.

Kingston had four birdies in the first five holes, but also a bogey on the short second and when he dropped another stroke at the seventh he slipped into a tie for second with English pair James Heath and Marcus Higley, German Sven Struver and Swede Peter Hedblom.

Among those a shot further back were Ian Poulter and defending champion John Bickerton, but Lee Westwood had three bogeys in his first five holes.

Bickerton and Montgomerie were partnering Jean Van de Velde, who is battling against illness as he tries for a win that would put him into the Open on the course where he had his nightmare triple bogey finish when three ahead in 1999. The Frenchman, who has further tests in London next Tuesday, was one over after four.

Philip Walton, making a rare start on the main circuit, is struggling at five-over after eight holes while Paul McGinley and Graeme McDowell are among the later starters.