Four Share Lead in BMW International Open; Kaymer Misses Cut


Spaniards Pablo Larrazabal, Rafa Cabrera-Bello, England's Danny Willett and Argentine Emiliano Grillo share the lead through 36 holes of the BMW International Open. The European Tour event started Thursday in Kaymer's home country of Germany, at Golf Club Gut Larchenhof in Cologne.

Larrazabal fired a 63, Larrazabal and Willett 68s, and Grillo a 66 to reach 12-under 132, two strokes ahead of 50-year-old Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain (67), Germany's Alex Cejka (66), Denmark's Andreas Harto (66), Sweden's Robert Karlsson (66), South Africa's Branden Grace (67) and Scotland's Craig Lee (65).

Larrazabal enjoyed a spotless scorecard, posting nine birdies - including five in a row on the 13th through 17th holes - to soar up the leaderboard. The 31-year-old from Barcelona won the 2011 event when it was held in Munich. "There is a no more trouble on this course than where I won in Munich," he told reporters.

"But with all the guys out there shooting low you just have to keep going and make as many birdies as you can. So it's all about continuing to play well and holing the birdie putts. I also can't think about winning this event again and my focus is that there is 36 holes to play and 36 birdies to be made."

Eight players share 11th at 135, while another 10 are at 136. Among those at 137 and tied for 29th is American John Daly, who has carded rounds of 70 and 67.

"It was a solid round of golf and I am very pleased but then the golf course is in great shape but what killed me was the par-5s, as I only played them in 2-under par over the two days," said the two-time major winner. "But I am enjoying my golf and it's great also to be back playing in Europe, and what was also amazing was how people were out so early following our group."

The halfway cut was set at 4-under 140. Among those not moving on to the weekend is recently crowned U.S. Open champion and local favorite, Martin Kaymer. The 29-year-old from Dusseldorf opened with a 1-under 71 to fall seven strokes out of the lead, and his second-round 73 sealed his exit.

Kaymer, who showed superb putting at Pinehurst No. 2 I in North Carolina en route to his eight-stroke U.S. Open victory, was undone by the flat stick at the course in Cologne. Though he reached 17 of 18 greens in regulation Friday, Kaymer needed 35 putts.

Kaymer quickly accepted the outcome and is ready to move on. "Very difficult," he said of the tough 36 holes at the tournament in his home country." For me it was clear I struggled on the golf course. In the past I haven't been that successful here and I think this week, it was a big step for me to accept that you have golf courses that you don't - that don't suit your play, that don't suit your eye a lot, and then I struggled a lot on the greens. So it's okay for me.

"I don't try to talk too much into it. It is what it is and I did my very best and level par was the best I could do."

For all the scores, visit http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2014/tournamentid=2014050/leaderboard/index.html.