Sébastien Gros navigated the windy conditions at Golf Club Gut Laerchenhof to open a one-shot lead after round one of the BMW International Open.
The 28-year old Frenchman shot a 4-under 68 to lead by one over a foursome of players, including Spaniard Jorge Campillo, who recently cracked the world top 100 thanks to four top-5 finishes this season.
“Today was very special because the conditions were quite brutal. There was a lot of wind, sometimes a three-club wind, so it’s a good start,” said Gros, who has missed three cuts in this last five starts, and was ranked No. 693 in the latest Official World Golf Rankings.
“It’s just Thursday so no need to start thinking about anything, it’s just a good round, and we’ll try to take enough confidence out of this round to keep going for the rest of the week.
“If we got 72 holes with this wind, it could be our US Open just after the US Open. You have to keep the ball in play and you have to be good on the greens, especially with the wind. The putter has been working today, I just hope it will keep me smiling all week.”
Scotland’s Scott Jamieson, Englishman Aaron Rai and Swede Henric Sturehed were the others tied with Campillo at 3 under.
Swede Christofer Blomstrand, England’s David Howell, Frenchman Victor Perez, and local favorite Nicolai von Dellingshausen were tied with Chileans Nico Geyger and Mark Tullo at 2-under par.
There was a large group at 1-under par, headlined by defending champion Andres Romero, 2013 champion Ernie Els, recent Shot Clock Masters winner Mikko Korhonen and three-time European Tour winner Andy Sullivan of England.
Hometown hero, and 2008 champion, Martin Kaymer was in the group at even par, a shot clear of Sergio Garcia, and two ahead of Tommy Fleetwood.
TOP 10
1. Sebastien Gros -4
2. Aaron Rai -3
2. Henric Sturehed -3
2. Scott Jamieson -3
2. Jorge Campillo -3
6. Victor Perez -2
6. Christofer Blomstrand -2
6. Nicolai von Dellingshausen -2
6. Nicolas Geyger -2
6. Mark Tullo -2
6. David Howell -2
NOTABLES
12. Andy Sullivan -1
12. Ernie Els -1
12. Andres Romero -1
23. Chris Paisley E
23. Martin Kaymer E
23. Chris Wood E
35. Sergio Garcia +1
35. Thorbjorn Olesen +1
35. Thomas Pieters +1
35. Matt Wallace +1
55. Thongchai Jaidee +2
55. Tommy Fleetwood +2
76. Chase Koepka +3
125. Eddie Pepperell +6
125. Matteo Manassero +6
142. S.S.P. Chawrasia +8
144. Jamie Donaldson +9
VIDEO: SHOT OF THE DAY
Martin Kaymer was in trouble on the par-5 third hole (his 12th), and sitting at 2-over par, but a hole-out slam dunk for birdie started a run of three-straight birdies (Nos. 3, 5, and 6), allowing the hometown favorite to finish even par 72.
QUOTABLE
“The putter has been working today, I just hope it will keep me smiling all week.”
– Sébastien Gros
