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Bernd Wiesberger shoots 63 to hold two-shot lead at European Open

By Ali Stafford

Thursday 22 September 2016 18:21, UK

PASSAU, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 21: Bernd Wiesberger of Austria hits a shot during a clinic prior to the start of The Porsche European Open at Golf Resort Ba
Image: Wiesberger fired nine birdies and an eagle during an impressive opening round

Bernd Wiesberger fired an eight-under 63 to open up a two-shot lead after a weather-affected opening round at the European Open.

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Torrential rain over the weekend saw practice rounds and the pre-tournament pro-am cancelled at Golf Resort Bad Griesbach, before fog delayed the start of the opening round by three hours and 25 minutes.

Wiesberger posted nine birdies and an eagle to set the clubhouse target in Germany, as Ryder Cup stars Martin Kaymer and Thomas Pieters failed to make fast starts.

PASSAU, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 22: Thomas Pieters of Belgium plays a shot during the first round of the Porsche European Open at Golf Resort Bad Griesbach on
Image: Pieters made a slow start to the week

Kaymer had reached the turn level-par when play was suspended due to fading light, while Pieters was 10 strokes off the pace after playing his first nine holes in two-over-par.

When play did get underway at 10.45am local time, Lucas Bjerregaard made a fast start and birdied five of his opening seven holes on his way to reaching the turn in 30, with Michel Hoey and Bradley Dredge also getting to five under early in their rounds.

PASSAU, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 22: Peter Uihlein of USA warms up on the driving range during a fog delay of the first round of the Porsche European Open at Go
Image: Fog saw the start of play delayed in Germany

Beginning on the back nine, Wiesberger followed a hat-trick of gains from the 11th with two more before the turn, only to lose ground by running up a double-bogey six at the first.

Successive birdies over the next two holes were halted when the Austrian missed the green and posted a bogey-four, pushing him two adrift of Bjerregaard and Graeme Storm.

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PASSAU, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 22: Martin Kaymer of Germany plays a shot during the first round of the Porsche European Open at Golf Resort Bad Griesbach on S
Image: Kaymer is chasing victory on home soil

As Bjerregaard bogeyed the last to close an opening 66 and Storm doubled the 18th to finish a further stroke back, Wiesberger eagled the par-five eighth and birdied his final hole to claim the early advantage.

A back-nine 31 helped Renato Paratore in to second spot, with Daniel Im and Michael Jonzon part of the group a further stroke back.

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Defending champion Thongchai Jaidee opened with a two-under 69 to sit six strokes off the pace, while Padraig Harrington fired three successive birdies on his way to ending the day level-par.

Watch the European Open throughout the week live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf. Day two coverage begins on Friday from 10am

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