Leaders going low in Cologne

Golf:Scotland's Stephen Gallacher and South African Richard Sterne were setting a furious pace at the start of the BMW International Open in Cologne today. Gallacher had six birdies in the space of nine holes, while Sterne covered the outward half in a five-under-par 31 to be only one behind.

The disappointment for the home crowd was that Martin Kaymer’s only birdie on the back nine came at the 519-yard 13th, his fourth, and he started for home in a group on one under which also included fellow major winners John Daly and Rich Beem.

Indian Shiv Kapur was in third place at four under after 12, while Colin Montgomerie — back from his television work at the US Open last week — and fellow Scot Paul Lawrie, third in the Ryder Cup race, stood two under. Montgomerie is a former winner on the Gut Larchenhof course, but that was back in 1998.

The leading Irishman in the early stages was Simon Thornton, but at level par after 10 holes he was well off the pacesetters. Shane Lowry, Damien McGrane, Paul McGinley and Gareth Maybin were among the later starters.