MUNICH – Daniel Hellyer took a one-shot lead into the second round of the BMW International Open before a player made his debut on the European Tour on Friday.
New Zealander Hillier shot a 5-under 67 with five birdies – three of them on successive holes – and no bogeys in windy conditions to move into the lead.
“It helps when you come from Wellington, you play in the wind your whole life, so you learn to navigate around it,” Hellyer said.
He was nine years old in Munich.
In second place was Rasmus Nergaard Petersen, a Danish golfer who was on his first European Tour thanks to an invitational. He finished his college All-American career at Oklahoma State last month and also scored an innings of 67 on Friday for a total of 8-under.
“Yesterday when I was starting I was really nervous but I know I’m playing my game,” he said.
“I’ve done a really good job of staying in the present. I’ve hit a few loose putts here and there, but I’ve been able to recover and kind of move around. My rackets are starting to really heat up today, I’ve made some nice putts, and I’m happy to be where I’m at right now.”
Joost Luiten was two strokes clear of the lead after hitting a best round of the day, 66, in a five-player tie for the 6-under tournament.
Ryder Cup Vice Captain Edoardo Molinari started the day with a share of the first round lead but shot a 2-over 74 and fell 5 shots from Hillier.