Henrik Stenson continued his good form from the US Open by claiming a one-shot lead after day one of the rain-hit BMW International Open.
The 35-year-old Swede, a former world number four, overcame a finger injury and bad weather at Golfclub Munchen Eichenried to complete an eight-under-par round that put him just ahead of Englishman Gary Boyd.
Stenson, now ranked 124th in the world, said afterwards: “I don't think you will find a player who's been out here 10 to 15 years who has not had some rough times.
“We all go through ups and downs. I've been struggling with my game a little bit, but it's hard to put my finger on what it's been.
“I played a lot better last week. My confidence is still not as high as it can be, but I'm working away trying to do the things that are going to lead me back.”
Stenson got off to a flying start with a birdie at the first and his day got even better when he birdied the par-four fourth before making an eagle at the par-five sixth. The Dubai-based putter added his third birdie of the day at the ninth before suffering a setback at the par-four 10th, but he immediately recovered with a birdie at the 11th and added three more to complete his first round in 64.
Boyd had set the early pace with eight birdies and a bogey in a seven-under-par 65, that meant he ended the day alone in second place, a shot ahead of Tim Sluiter, Danny Willett, Jbe Kruger and Paul Lawrie.
Of the strong Spanish contingent Pablo Larrazabal made six birdies and two bogeys to end the day four shots behind the leader on four-under, one ahead of compatriots Sergio Garcia, and Alfredo Garcia-Heredia and two ahead of veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez.
Marcel Siem and Stephan Gross Jr came out of round one as the surprising leaders among the home entries. The German pair shot three-under-par 69s to edge ahead of fellow countryman, and world number three, Martin Kaymer – the pre-tournament favourite. Kaymer shot six birdies and four bogeys, two of which came back-to-back at 10 and 11, to finish the round two-under.
PGA Tour regular Dustin Johnson, celebrating his 27th birthday, made five birdies and three bogeys in his two-under-par 70.
