Scot Ewen Ferguson brushed on-going health issues to take straight to the overtaking lane to be just one shot from the front heading to the second round of the BMW International Open in Munich.
Ferguson, 27, grabbed seven birdies in a five-under 67 amid bright but very breezy conditions on the host Munich Club Eichenried course in the Bavaian capital.
It handed the now Dubai-based Scot a fourway share of second and just a shot adrift of Aussie David Micheluzzy who birdied his closing two holes in a two-under par 66. Among those matching 66 was Masters champion Patrick Reed, contesting the event for a first occasion in the American’s quest to earn a 152nd Open Championship tee time.
Ferguson was three-under through six holes and four-under after 11 holes before a dropped shot on 12 but bouncing back with birdies at 13 and 14. The World No. 168th bogeyed 17th before the delight in two-putting from some 30-feet at the last for a birdie ‘4’.
PUTS ASIDE @EwboF @pumagolfuk @PUMAGolf @cobragolf @ISPSHanda health issues jumping straight into the #BMWInternationalOpen overtaking lane
The proud signing for a 6⃣7⃣
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He said: “It was a really good round in pretty windy conditions that were making the course challenging, so it was all about keeping your head as it was very easy to make a mistake.
“I stayed patient towards the middle of the back nine even after making a three-putt bogey on 12 and it was nice to finish-up with a solid birdie.’
“Actually, having grown-up in Scotland helped out there today and will help in heading to the Scottish Open next week where it’s sure to be windy so it’s already been good prep for that”.
The doulbe Tour winning Ferguson has only returned to competition these past weeks from battling a bout of ‘labyrinthitis vertigo’
He said: “I’ve had labyrinthitis vertigo for about the last two months now, and I’ve still got it.
“The medication I am on has been helping and really, I am just happy that it is not really serious and I am doing what I love and that is playing golf.
“When I wasn’t playing golf I was sitting around the house, moping and I think my mum and dad got the brunt of it. So, they’ve been happy to get rid of me and see my back on the golf course”.
Calum Hill is next best of the Scots with a three-under 69.
