David Micheluzzi posted a six under par round of 66 to take a one-stroke lead after the opening day of the BMW International Open.
Related: German legend Bernhard Langer set for final DP World Tour appearance
The Australian carded a bogey on the third hole – his 12th – but posted seven birdies to lead by one at Golfclub München Eichenried from Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson, South African Casey Jarvis, Englishman Frank Kennedy and Patrick Reed, of the United States.
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The four-time Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia winner credited his short game for his low opening round in Munich, which ignited after missing the third green resulting in his only bogey of the day.
He had started with birdies at the 11th, 13th and 18th to make the turn at three under, but dropped back to two with his sole blemish at the third.
The 27-year-old responded with a birdie at the fourth and went deeper into the red with another gain at the sixth, before finishing in style with back-to-back birdies to take the solo lead.
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The German fans arrived in their thousands on Thursday morning to catch a glimpse of their greatest-ever golfer, Bernhard Langer, as he started his final DP World Tour appearance in his home country.
The evergreen 66-year-old posted a one under par round of 71, which started with ten consecutive pars before mixing a bogey with two birdies to sit in a tie for 54th and in with a chance of making the weekend in Munich.
Player quotes
David Micheluzzi: “It was kind of all over the shop to be honest. I was a little bit wayward with the swing early on, the putter and short game were elite today. The back nine, I gave myself some chances.
“Know I’m putting it well at the moment, holed a 15-footer on eight and then when I saw the putt on nine, I knew if I’d put a good stroke on it, it would go in, so I’m very happy with it. Going to do a little bit of range work and call it a day.”
Ewen Ferguson: “I’m used to the wind being from Scotland but I’m actually quite happy with it being windy this week, with the Scottish Open next week so we’ll expect some more wind there. Good prep for that and the game feels pretty nice too.
“I had Labyrinthitis Vertigo for the last two months now, and still got it, but I’m dealing with it. The medication is helping and I’m just happy it’s nothing serious and I’m doing what I love, which is playing golf.”
Frank Kennedy: “It’s been a shaky start so far but nice to go out and put a score on the board and get set for tomorrow.
“It’s been great, honestly. There’s a lot of work Monday, Tuesday, but then mixing it with prep work and resting. It’s a really nice course and I played nicely.
“It’s great. The people out here, they couldn’t be any nicer. I’m finding my feet and starting to play some better golf so just from here I want to keep it going.”
