Shiv Kapur opens with a first round 66 in Cologne

Cologne (Germany): Shiv Kapur, desperately in need of a good finish to get his confidence and form back, worked his way to a sizzling six-under 66 on the opening day of the BMW International Open golf tournament began here on Thursday.

The 30-year-old Kapur sank eight birdies against two bogeys for his 66 that gave him a tied third place in the morning session. It was the Indians`s best round of the year. Jeev Milkha Singh shot a modest 72, while SSP Chowrasia was teeing off in the afternoon. Kapur had a birdie-birdie start and that set the tone for the day. He added a third on sixth, but the bogey on seventh saw him turn in two-under. Then in a space of seven holes from 10th to 16th, Kapur had five birdies, including three in a row from 12th to the 14th. A closing bogey on 18th was a disappointment on a day which otherwise was superb. Kapur`s best finish this year has been tied 26th at Madeira Islands Open, though he was tied ninth at the Kensville Challenge Tour event in January. Australian Marcus Fraser led the morning session which saw a lot of low scores. The 33-year-old from Melbourne set the early clubhouse target with an eight under par 64, only one shot off the lowest round of his European Tour career. Fraser birdied five of his last six holes, capping things off with a 20 foot putt, but he was only one ahead of England`s Danny Willett. Alongwith Kapur, France`s Gregory Havret and South African Keith Horne also shot 66, but former world number one Martin Kaymer managed only a one-under 71. PTI