Marcus Fraser hopes to become the first Australian to win on the European or US PGA Tours this season after shooting an eight-under 64 to share first place on day one of the BMW International Open.
Fabrizio Zanotti of Paraguay, yet to win on the European Tour, earned two eagles in his 64 to match his lowest-ever score on the tour.
The pair lead by one from the England duo of Chris Wood and Danny Willett, and 45-year old Irishman Paul McGinley, after Thursday’s opening round.
Fraser birdied two of his opening three holes and five of his closing six including a long birdie putt at the 18th hole at the Gut Larcenhof course outside Cologne.
It was Fraser’s lowest score in 21 rounds in the prestigious German event.
“It’s a great start and I just drove the ball really straight, missing just one fairway,” he said.
“The greens were also quite nice this morning and I managed to make a few putts while that one at the last, a good 35 to 40 feet, was great to see drop.”
While Fraser has won twice in Europe, neither he nor any of his countrymen have won in Europe or the US since August, when Adam Scott captured the Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio.
“I am sure that will change shortly, as there’s a lot of great Australians playing over in the States and a good few playing here in Europe,” Fraser said.
“It’s maybe just one of those things, as a few years ago everyone was just accustomed to a lot of Australians winning in America. So I am sure another Australian win is not too far away.”
Alongside Zanotti’s pair of eagles were seven birdies, a bogey and a double bogey as he strives for a first success in five years on the tour.
“I made a lot of good putts today and the only bad shot I hit was in taking a double bogey,” he said. “It is very good for me to share the lead in a big tournament like this and it helps me getting used to it.”
McGinley finished his round with three threes, including a 16th-hole eagle, a par at 17, and a birdie three at the last.
“That was a great finish and it’s turned a good day into a great day,” McGinley said.
Four players were tied for sixth on 66 including Frenchman Gregory Havret, South African Keith Horne, Sweden’s Pelle Edberg and India’s Shiv Kapur.
John Daly rewarded one of the biggest galleries on the course with a 4-under 68, and out-scored playing partners and potential European Ryder Cup qualifiers Paul Lawrie of Scotland (72) and Alvaro Quiros of Spain (73).
Daly, winner of the event in 2001, didn’t drop a shot and attributed his good form to a putting tip from long-time friend, Lance Awe.
“I have pretty much loosened up my grip on everything and particularly the putter, so as to get more feel,” said Daly. “Lance caddied for me at the Colonial and a few other events, and said ‘Why don’t you do what you did when you were 16?’ so I figured I would take his advice”.
Martin Kaymer, and the highest ranked player in the field at No. 13, left the course far from pleased in shooting a 71.
