Henrik Stenson made a solid start in his bid for a second BMW International title to sit three shots off the first-round lead in Pulheim, Germany, on Thursday.
The 40-year-old Swede is looking to go one better than in the past two editions of this tournament, after following up a 2014 playoff defeat with another runner-up effort last year.
Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin sits atop the leaderboard after a stunning opening-round 65, as he bids for a fifth European Tour victory.
Photo: EPA
Stenson looked to be in contention for a long-overdue maiden major title last week at the US Open in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, after the first day, but was forced to withdraw during his second round with a calf injury.
However, the world No. 7 bounced back in Pulheim, as he carded five birdies against a single bogey for a four-under 68.
“I am pretty pleased with that,” Stenson said. “The rough is really thick here this year and a lot of emphasis is on hitting fairways and greens, and I think I did that.”
Stenson’s playing partner, US Masters champion Danny Willett, fell to a 74 after dropping three strokes in his final two holes.
The Englishman played the front nine in two-under, but had two double bogeys on his way back to the clubhouse and now faces a battle to avoid the cut.
The 42-year-old Jacquelin has struggled to find his best form in recent seasons, but had seven birdies on a fine bogey-free day.
The last of Jacquelin’s four European Tour titles came in 2013, and his eighth-placed finish in Sweden earlier this month was his first top-10 for 11 months.
“I am very pleased of course, as you can imagine,” Jacquelin said. “I played solid pretty much all day long. It was a bit tough at the end, but I managed to save some good pars.”
Alone in second spot, just a shot behind, is England’s Oliver Fisher, and the world No. 536 was understandably delighted.
“The course is obviously pretty wet from the weather they have had lately here,” he told the European Tour Web site. “You have got to hit fairways and hit greens, and I have done that today and played well. Anytime you go bogey-free for 18 holes is a good round.”
Sergio Garcia, who challenged at the farcical US Open won by Dustin Johnson, continued his fine recent form with a one-under 71.
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