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Patrick Reed in the mix as Richard McEvoy shares European Open lead

By Ali Stafford

Monday 31 July 2017 10:34, UK

HAMBURG, GERMANY - JULY 27: Patrick Reed of the United States celebrates sinking his putt on the 13th green during the Porsche European Open - Day One at
Image: Patrick Reed fired a four-under 68 to stay within two strokes of the early lead

Patrick Reed fired a four-under 68 to stay within two strokes of the early lead at the Porsche European Open.

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Reed mixed five birdies with a sole blemish at Green Eagle Golf Course, where Richard McEvoy grabbed the early advantage with a bogey-free 66.

American Julian Suri birdied four of his final five holes to join McEvoy on six under, with defending champion Alexander Levy and Charl Schwartzel part of a four-way group sitting one off the lead.

HAMBURG, GERMANY - JULY 27: Richard McEvoy of England plays his first shot on the 9th tee during the Porsche European Open - Day One at Green Eagle Golf C
Image: Richard McEvoy was the pick of the morning starters

Beginning on the back nine, Reed bogeyed his opening hole but bounced back with a birdie-three at the 13th and gains on par-five 15th and 18th.

The world No 26, who came to Germany off consecutive missed cuts, then rolled in from 10 feet at the eighth before chipping to three feet for a closing birdie on the par-five ninth.

HAMBURG, GERMANY - JULY 27: Patrick Reed of the United States and Charl Schwartzel of South Africa shake hands on the 9th green after finishing their fir
Image: Reed played alongside Charl Schwartzel during the opening round

McEvoy reached the turn in 34 and edged ahead with a birdie-two at the second, with the Englishman following par-saves at the fifth and sixth with an eight-foot gain at the next to set the clubhouse target.

"I'm very pleased," McEvoy said. "At the start of the week [I thought] it's not really my style of golf course to be honest.

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"It's wet out there and I'm not the longest of hitters, I'm quite average on tour, but I did everything kind of right today."

Suri moved up the leaderboard with three straight gains from the 14th and moved alongside McEvoy with a birdie-four at the last, with Chris Paisley and Stuart Manley the other players at five under.

SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND - JULY 20: Julian Suri of the United States lines up a putt on the 4th green during the first round of the 146th Open Championship at R
Image: Julian Suri grabbed a share of the lead after a fast finish

PGA Champion Jimmy Walker opened with a level-par 72, while America's Pat Perez - who joined the European Tour as an affiliate member this week - struggled to a four-over 76.

Watch the Porsche European Open throughout the week live on Sky Sports Golf. Live coverage begins on Friday from 10am.

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