• BMW International Open, Round One

Dredge storms into clubhouse lead in Munich

Bradley Dredge was once a top-50 player © Getty Images

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Welshman Bradley Dredge is well placed to end his four-year wait for a European Tour title after he stormed into a share of the lead on day one of the BMW International Open in Munich.

The world No. 173, once a top-50 player, took advantage of the helpful early-morning conditions to shoot a flawless eight-under 64.

Dredge made his intentions clear from the outset by securing a birdie on his opening hole - the first of six - in a round that also featured an eagle on the par-five 11th as he grabbed the clubhouse lead.

"There was virtually no wind and I think it's the easiest I've played the course," Dredge said. "I hit some poor shots, but managed to get away with them. I do feel my game is getting back together and it is a matter of consistency at the moment."

Scotland's Peter Whiteford joined Dredge at the top after firing a similarly flawless round of 64. The Challenge Tour graduate eagled the par-five sixth after hitting a five iron to six feet and carded six further birdies as he managed his way around the course in impressive fashion.

"It sounds stupid because I've shot eight under but I didn't really feel like I'm swinging it that great," Whiteford said. "I got the ball around the golf course really, really well - sometimes that's your best golf when you're not flying on all cylinders. I basically birdied the birdie holes I guess."

World No. 8 Paul Casey made a good start to his first start on European soil since the PGA Championship at Wentworth back in May. The 32-year-old carded birdies at seven, nine, 11 and 16 as he turned in an error-free round of 68.

Ross Fisher and BMW Championship winner Simon Khan trail Casey by a shot after signing for a pair of 69s. Khan began in explosive style as he birdied his opening three holes and then gained another shot at the sixth. A bogey on 16 curtailed his momentum but a birdie-four at the par-five 18th recovered the 38-year-old's round and he will be hopeful of producing more of the same as he aims to win his first event outside of Britain.

Ernie Els' round followed a similar pattern to his efforts on the final day of the US Open, where he faded on the back nine after charging into contention for the lead. Here the South African raced to the turn in a four-birdie 33 - despite finding the water on his second hole of the day - before bogeys on his last two holes of the day saw him sign for a two-under 70.

Els' playing partner Sergio Garcia is in danger of missing his second-consecutive cut on the European Tour after his dismal run continued with a five-over 77. Garcia was the world No. 2 19 months ago, but he has not had a top-three finish for close to two years and is now down to 36th in the rankings.

Europe Ryder Cup captains past and present enjoyed contrasting fortunes as the wind became a factor for those teeing off in the afternoon. 2004 captain Bernhard Langer and current skipper Colin Montgomerie both shot two-under-par rounds of 70 to sit six shots off the lead, but Sir Nick Faldo, playing as a warm-up exercise for next month's Open Championship at St Andrews, carded three birdies, three bogeys and two double bogeys as he struggled to a four-over round of 76.

Defending champion Nick Dougherty will need to go low on day two after a two-over-par first-round 74 left him 10 shots off the pace.

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