Wiesberger, Hebert lead in Germany

bruced
September 24, 2015

Bernd Wiesberger and Benjamin Hebert shot matching 64s to share the first-round lead at the Porsche European Open.

The duo are one shot clear of Graeme Storm, Richard Bland, Richard Green and Darren Fichardt, while Hunter Mahan, local hero Bernhard Langer and Charl Schwartzel were among those on five under, just two shots back.

Wiesberger, a winner two months ago at the Open de France, carded three birdies before the turn and four more after in a flawless round at Bad Griesbach in Germany.

He sunk a clutch seven-footer at the 18th to ensure he would finish the day tied at the top with Hebert.

"I felt really good coming into this week," Wiesberger told the European Tour. "I played good golf last week (he finished tied-14th) and I dragged that into today as well, so I’m happy with the way I started this tournament.

"I hit the ball pretty good so few courses wouldn’t suit me right now. It's not often you can say that but I felt in control of my ball flight and yardages.

"I had a few hiccups on the greens but you can’t have it all.

"You can see low scoring out here and perfect conditions so you need to take advantage of that and keep up. We had some great support out there today with Hunter (Mahan) and Bernhard (Langer)."

Langer mixed two birdies with two bogeys in his front nine, but caught fire after the turn, picking up five more shots.

"It was a great day," said the 58-year-old. "I played very well. I have played well for three weeks now but made some mistakes.

"Today I managed the course well and didn’t have any mistakes, so it is a good way to start the tournament. I started well and also had a good start to the back nine.

"I’ve played here two times already on the Challenge Tour and it is a good course. It was in great shape this afternoon and tomorrow the greens will be perfect in the morning."

PGA Tour regular Mahan also lies on five under, and was satisfied with his performance.

"I’ll take this every day, five under is a solid start," said Mahan.

"I’m excited to be here at the Porsche European Open and if I keep this up I’ll be happy.

"It was a great patch just after the turn for me. I was just getting a sense on the greens on the front nine. I had some good opportunities but just didn’t make them and then on the back nine I had some good looks, and some good putts for birdies and rolled them true.

"I had a couple of good breaks and a good stretch there which propelled me to five under.

"It was great to play with a German golfing legend like Bernhard Langer. He’s a great competitor. He doesn’t enter an event unless he thinks he can win.

"He still has great skill and drive at his age. It’s very impressive. It’s neat just to be around him."

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