Bjorn shifts gear to cruise into BMW contention

DENMARK’S Thomas Bjorn recovered from a sluggish start to find top gear in the defence of his BMW International Open title in Munich.

Bjorn opened with eight pars at Nord-Eichenried but then birdied eight of the remaining 10 holes to race home in just 29 shots.

That gave the Dane an eight-under-par 64 and share of second place alongside Germany’s Marcel Siem and English duo David Howell and Gary Emerson, two shots behind leader Raphael Jacquelin of France, who equalled the course record with his 62. English duo Lee Westwood and Paul Casey were a shot further back alongside 1997 champion Robert Karlsson of Sweden, while Ernie Els was six off the lead after an erratic 68.

Three Irish players Paul McGinley, Graeme McDowell and Peter Lawrie shot 69s, Gary Murphy a 72 with Damien McGrane firing a 75.

Bjorn, runner-up in the Open and Irish Open in consecutive weeks last month and winner here twice in the last three years, said: “I missed a few chances on the front nine but in the end got what I deserved.”

Jacquelin, who also fired a 10-under-par 62 in the opening round of the Nordic Open three weeks ago but faded to a share of 25th, already has fond memories of the tournament. He won a BMW Z8 for a hole-in-one here two years ago and drove the car to a tournament for the first time this week. “I drive it but not that often,” said Jacquelin, who carded 10 birdies and no bogeys. “You can’t drive everywhere with this kind of car.”

Seve Ballesteros’ first appearance for four months is destined to be a short one after the Spaniard slumped to a 12-over-par 84 to lie last of the 156-strong field by five shots.

Ballesteros has not played on tour since missing the cut in the Benson & Hedges International in May. The 46-year-old was last seen later that month when he pulled out of the Volvo PGA championship at Wentworth citing the ’flu, the day after he had been fined and severely reprimanded by the tour for his conduct at the Italian Open. The five-time major winner was disqualified for signing for an incorrect score after refusing to accept a one-stroke penalty for slow play and altering his card.

He then accused the European Tour ‘mafia’ of waging a war against him, alleging officials were out to get him because of his membership of the so-called Gang of Four who complained about how the tour was run.