June 24, 2016: Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Marcus Fraser of Australia, Thai trio Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Thongchai Jaidee and Prom Meesawat, were among those bunched in 14th position following the opening round of the BMW International Open on Thursday.
The quarter shot matching three-under-par 69s to trail leader Raphael Jacquelin of France by four shots at the Golf Club Gut Laerchenhof in Pulheim, Germany.
India’s S.S.P. Chawrasia and American David Lipsky posted identical 70s while Australian Scott Hend, who won his ninth Asian Tour title at the Queen’s Cup last week, carded a 71 to tie in 40th place.
Korean’s Jeunghun Wang, ranked second on the Order of Merit, returned with a 73 alongside a host of players which include Richard T. Lee of Canada.
Over in the United States, Asian Tour’s International Ambassador and honorary member Ernie Els fired an impressive opening five-under-par 66 to tie in third place at the Quicken Loans National on Thursday.
The South African fired six birdies against a lone bogey to trail leader Jon Rahm of Spain by two shots at the Congressional Country Club (Blue) in Bethesda, Maryland.
India’s Arjun Atwal posted a 71 to tie in 55th place while countryman and reigning Order of Merit champion Anirban Lahiri lies a further shot back in tied-72nd.
– Asian Tour Release
