Li Haotong. DP World Tour
By Matt Smith
Li Haotong fired two sensational eagles in his last four holes sign for a 62 and tie the course record in Munich and open up a one-shot lead on day one of the 2022 BMW International Open.
Starting from the tenth tee, the two-time DP World Tour winner carded six birdies before eagles at the sixth and ninth — the front nine’s two par fives — took him to 10-under par.
The 26-year-old’s flawless 62 gave him a one-stroke advantage over nearest challenger Daan Huizing, who finished with back-to-back birdies to sign for a bogey-free 63.
Home favourite Nicolai von Dellingshausen made an eagle, seven birdies and a single bogey to sit alone in third on eigh-under.
Two strokes back in a share of fourth place are six golfers, including Ras Al Khaimah champ Ryan Fox and Daniel van Tonder.
Maximilian Kieffer provided one of the highlights of the day as he delighted the home crowds with an albatross on the par five 11th hole – the first of his career.
“It’s been an incredible day for me,” said Li, the 2018 Omega Dubai Desert Classic winner. “I didn’t expect that because I spent a couple of weeks off in Dubai, which was hot — I didn’t practice much. I had a good start, two birdies on the first three holes. Then turned my back nine, I think I had six one-putts in a row, which helps. Then hit every fair I think.
“It helped me cool down mentally a little bit, low expectation, no expectation, just play golf and enjoy every shot.
“The last few weeks I’ve played solid, I just couldn’t put it all together. Hopefully this week I can use some experience from there and put things together.”
Huizing added: “I was hitting it well, good off the tee and I think that’s very important. But I holed some nice putts as well, that gets a round going when you convert pretty much every chance you get.”
Von Dellingshausen said: “I just saw (Li) on the leaderboard for the first time in 16, I was still leading then I saw him make eagle and then another one somewhere. I would have loved to make the eagle on 18, but it didn’t drop – that’s fine, I’m still very happy.”
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