England’s Danny Willett overcame a neck injury to join playing partner Rafa Cabrera-Bello in shooting an eight-under-par 64 on Thursday to share a two-shot lead on the opening day of the BMW International Open in Cologne.
Willett had been forced out of Wednesday’s Pro-Am as he struggled with the injury, picked up while sleeping in Manchester Airport on Tuesday awaiting a flight to Cologne.
The 26-year-old then underwent extensive treatment to take his place on the same Gut Larcenhof course where he broke through two years ago to claim a maiden Tour title.
“I’ve had some terrible flights since taking two-and-a-half days to get back from the US Open so that’s how I guess I picked up the injury but a round like this helps.
“But the physio guys on the Tour have been great and, with the weather pretty warm out here, the neck hasn’t felt all that bad.”
Cabrera-Bello, like Willett, didn’t drop a shot.
Seven players share third place on six-under including England pair Graeme Storm and Andy Sullivan, along with Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey, Frenchman Gary Stal, Denmark’s Anders Hansen, Argentina’s Emilano Grillo and Spain’s Alvaro Quiros.
And Quiros also considered he was fortunate to play after two days in bed nursing a heavy fever.
However, the six-time Tour winner was on top of his game in grabbing seven birdies and just taking one bogey as he looked to end a three-year winless drought.
Recent US Open champion Martin Kaymer struggled on the greens and also crowd expectation in his return to competition since his eight-shot Pinehurst triumph shooting a one-under 71.
“It was the best conditions we could get here, but I didn’t make too many putts, especially over my last five holes, so it was worst I can do and unfortunately I just couldn’t make the putts coming in.
“But then the crowd support was fantastic and I was a little surprised how many people were here at 7.30 in the morning when we teed off so, tomorrow afternoon when I am out, it’s going to be full.
“And coming back home, the expectations from a lot of people, there are so many people that come out and expect you to play well and they expect you to play at least as good as two weeks ago.”
