Schaper and Du Plessis set the pace in Munich
South African duo fire flawless opening rounds at Golfclub München Eichenried to lead low-scoring BMW International Open
Korea - South African compatriots Jayden Schaper and Hennie du Plessis carded matching bogey-free rounds of eight-under-par 64 to secure a share of the opening-round lead at the BMW International Open on Thursday. The inform duo took advantage of softened scoring conditions following heavy rainfall in Munich to set the early pace at Golfclub München Eichenried. Schaper, a two-time winner at the start of the season who currently sits fourth in the Race to Dubai rankings, mounted his charge with consecutive early birdies and a pair of spectacular chip-ins on his front nine. Du Plessis matched the clubhouse target shortly afterwards, igniting his own back-nine stretch with an eagle at the par-five sixth hole before picking up his fifth shot in a four-hole burst.
“I just got off to a nice solid start and had two really cool chip-ins on my front nine,” said Schaper, who noted that recent rainfall left the tournament greens soft enough for aggressive pin-seeking. “Greens were rolling good, they were a bit soft, so you could attack most of the pins. It’s always a week that I enjoy coming to.” Du Plessis credited his opening performance to patient iron play and precise driving, which allowed him to continually give himself short-range birdie looks after a steady start.
The tournament leaderboard remained highly crowded at the conclusion of the first day’s play, with South Africa’s JC Ritchie and Australia’s Anthony Quayle sitting just one stroke adrift of the leaders on seven under par. An eight-way tie for fifth place includes English quartet Paul Waring, Ross Fisher, Dan Bradbury, and Joe Dean, alongside American Davis Bryant and Scotland’s Daniel Young, who all signed for opening rounds of 66. Defending champion Daniel Brown of England opened his title defence with an under-par round of 69, leaving him five strokes off the pace heading into Friday’s second round.