Micheluzzi’s ‘elite’ short game gives him lead at BMW

Australia’s David Micheluzzi relied on an “elite” short game to claim a narrow lead after the opening round of the BMW International Open.

Micheluzzi carded seven birdies and a solitary bogey to return a six-under-par 66 and enjoy a one-shot lead over English teenager Frank Kennedy, former Masters champion Patrick Reed, Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson and South African Casey Jarvis.

“It was kind of all over the shop to be honest,” Michelluzzi said of his round at Golfclub Munchen Eichenried.

“I was a little bit wayward with the swing early but the putter and short game were elite today and then on the back nine I gave myself some chances.

“If you saw the way I was hitting it you’d be like ‘How the hell did you get a top 10?’ [last week] but the short game and putting at the moment I’ve just gotten a really good feel of it in the last probably two or three weeks.

“Just got to hit some greens and we’ll be flying.”

FULL LEADERBOARD

Kennedy, who turned professional 12 months ago after reaching the semi-finals of the Amateur Championship, has struggled to make his mark in the paid ranks so far, but carded seven birdies in an encouraging 67.

“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,” the 18-year-old said.

“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.”

Reed described his own 67 as “stress free”, although the former world number six will have been disappointed not to build on a flying start after covering his first seven holes in four under.

“I felt like I left a couple [of shots] out there today but as a whole I went out and did what I needed to do,” Reed, who plays mainly in the LIV Golf League, said.

“I hit the ball off the tee pretty well for the most part, gave myself a lot of good looks and was able to roll in some putts. It was the kind start I’ve been missing for a while, a really stress-free five under par.”

Making his 513th and final appearance on the DP World Tour, former world number one Bernhard Langer was moved by the reception his received before and during an opening 71.

“It was unbelievable,” Langer said. “I teed off at 7:40 so I got to the tee at 7:30 in the morning and it seemed like there were thousands of people and the atmosphere was incredible all the way around.

“It was very emotional. I was almost teary-eyed and I struggled a bit on the first tee shot. I really had to gather myself and say please don’t let me miss this ball, get it airborne.”