Els gets motoring with caddy Byrne

Ernie Els busted out of last week’s Merion ‘torture chamber’ and singled out Irish-born caddy Colin Byrne for helping produce his lowest score in seven months on the opening day of the 25th anniversary BMW International Open in Munich .

Els recorded an eagle and seven birdies in a nine-under-par 63 in sweltering conditions on the Munchen Eichenried course.

It was the 43-year old four-time Major winner’s lowest round since finishing runner-up to Ian Poulter in last November’s WGC–HSBC Champions event in Shenzhen, China.