A rare albatross has helped hoist Sweden’s Joakim Backstrom into a share of the lead after the first round of the Inteco Russian Open in Moscow.Starting from the 10th hole at Le Meridien Moscow Country Club, Backstrom had already birdied the 12th and 14th when he holed his second shot at the 561-yard par-five 15th.

“It was a four iron from 233 yards,” said Backstrom after completing his round 7-under 65 with two bogeys and four more birdies.

“I hit it well and it pitched on the green and then disappeared, but the people sitting around the green didn’t really react.

Backstrom has made just two cuts in his last 10 events and added: “I have to be honest and say that I have been playing rubbish, so anything in red numbers is great for me, and to shoot seven under is perfect.

Popularity: 13%