France’s Adrien Saddier, Italy’s Edoardo Molinari and Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino all closed with a 6-under 66 to take a share of the lead in the BMW International Open.
Play suspended was suspended overnight due to lightning in the area and will resume at 8am Friday morning
“It was a great round,” said Saddier. “I was feeling good about my game in the last few weeks. I played well at the Porsche European Open, I had two weeks off to work on my game and I just feel like each part of my game is quite nice.
“I just got some momentum. I had a good save on ten, wedge, putt and made birdie, had another birdie on 14 and finished quite nicely so I’m just being patient and making putts.”
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Ryder Cup vice-captain Molinari has been on form this year, making nine cuts in thirteen starts, including a top-10 at the Investec South African Open Championship.
“I think it’s a very good opening round,” said the Italian. “I’m a little bit disappointed to be honest because I hit the ball fantastic tee-to-green, but putting, again, wasn’t good at all. You can’t complain with a six under so I’ll take it, move on and try to improve the putting.
“I think it’s important to have a fast start. I bogeyed ten this morning so I was immediately on the back foot and then I managed to make some birdies pretty soon.
“I gave myself chances on almost every hole and could’ve been a lot lower but, six under, take it and move on.”
Romain Langasque and Matthieu Pavon, also of France, are tied in fourth place at 5-under alongside Germans Marc Hammer, Thomas Rosenmueller and Maximilian Kieffer as well as the Netherlands’ Daan Huizing who still has a hole to play.
