Oosty back in the groove

Louis Oosthuizen showed little sign of an Open hangover as he raced to top of the leaderboard at the Nordea Scandinavian Masters.

The South African, who emerged from the shadows to take victory at St Andrews last week by eight shots, fired a five-under-par 67 to share the lead with Australian Richard Green and America's Dustin Johnson.

The 27-year-old failed to break par in Wednesday's pro-am but got off to a steady start at the picturesque Bro Hof Slott layout on Thursday, birdieing the opening hole before recording eight pars to be out in 35.

However, five birdies and a solitary bogey coming home earned him a share of the lead with a group of four players one shot back.

"I had a good sleep, but I woke up tired again and the win has definitely drained me," said Oosthuizen.

Reception

"But the crowds were unbelievable, cheering me onto every green and every tee.

"I wanted to play nicely. The last thing I wanted was to put on a bad show and it was important not to think too much about next week."

Johnson, who unlike Oosthuizen failed to hold his nerve at last month's US Open when he blew a three-shot lead, finished 14th at St Andrews despite a poor finish and remains in fine form.

The American is currently sixth in the Ryder Cup standings and looks certain to make his debut at Celtic Manor later this year, and impressed again with a flawless bogey-free round.

Left-hander Green picked up six birdies in eight holes in the middle of his round, and the front trio lead by one from South Korean KJ Choi, Scottish Open champion Edoardo Molinari, Rafa Echenique of Argentina and local hope Steven Jeppesen.

Former Ryder Cup ace Jesper Parnevik, back in action from a career-threatening fractured vertebrae in February, handed in a 75.

"Better than I thought it would be," said the Swede, who hit his first shots for five months only on Monday.