While he started with a bogey on Thursday, Wilco Nienaber got his best start in quite some time with a six-under-par 66 in the opening round of the DP World Tour’s BMW International Open in Munich, Germany.
That gave him a share of fourth, four shots behind the leader, Haotong Li of China. Nienaber was flawless after that difficult start, making an eagle and five birdies. He shared fourth with countryman Daniel van Tonder, the reigning South African Open champion, former US Open champion Martin Kaymer, New Zealand’s Ryan Fox, Dane Rasmus Hojgaard and Mike Lorenzo-Vera of France.
Nienaber picked up his eagle on the par-five sixth, and he made birdies on four, seven, 11, 16 and 18.
Van Tonder also had his best start in a while, with seven birdies and a bogey on his card.
Louis de Jager was one shot further back, his five-under opener putting him in a share of 10th. Also on five-under was Joburg Open champion Thriston Lawrence.
George Coetzee was on four-under in a tie for 18th together with Oliver Bekker, and Dean Burmester opened with a three-under 69 for a share of 29th with Zander Lombard and Jacques Kruyswijk.
Louis Oosthuizen carded a two-under 70 to be in 46th, Darren Fichardt was on one-under in 71st, and Brandon Stone was on level-par in 89th.
Justin Walters was on three-over, Haydn Porteous on four-over and Richard Sterne on six-over.
