PAUL MCGINLEY HOLDS a share of second place after the first round of the BMW International Open in Cologne, Germany.
The 45-year old’s round of 65 saw him reach seven under par, a score which was only bettered by Marcus Frazer and Fabrizio Zanotti.
Fraser, ranked 92nd in the world, set the early clubhouse target with an opening round of eight-under 64 at Cologne’s Gut Larchenhof course.
“I played really well, drove the ball really straight and only missed one fairway,” Fraser said.
“Any time you do that, you’re going to give yourself plenty of chances.
“The greens were nice this morning and I managed to make a few putts and especially a few at the end, which was great.”
Fraser, from Melbourne, birdied five of his last six holes, while world number 288 Zanotti ended with two birdies of his own to finish ahead of three players tied for third at the European Tour event.
McGinley enjoyed a bogey free round and made the turn at three-under before further birdies at the 13 and 18 sandwiched an eagle on the par 5 16th.
Home favourite, Martin Kaymer, was not so prolific. The former number one was left to rue missed chances as he came off the course one under par with just two birdies when he admitted there were plenty more to be had.
“I only slept two hours last night,” Kaymer complained about the enduring effect of flying from San Francisco.“I made only two birdies, which is not a lot on this course. I didn’t drive the ball very well.”
Kaymer’s score was matched by Simon Thornton and Shane Lowry, but Damien McGrane will need a reversal in fortunes tomorrow if he is to make the cut.
McGrane finished the day on +4 after enduring a torrid opening which seen him make a bogey on each of the first three holes.
- Additional reporting by Sean Farrell
