Matthias Schmid posted a career-low eight under par round of 63 to secure a three-stroke lead after the first round of the Big Green Egg German Challenge powered by VcG at Wittelsbacher Golfclub.
The home favourite carded eight birdies in a bogey-free round to move two shots clear of compatriot Michael Hirmer, with two-time Challenge Tour winner Julien Brun and 2020 Road to Mallorca Champion Ondřej Lieser a shot further back.
The 23 year old is chasing a first professional victory after recording top 20 finishes on both the Challenge Tour and European Tour this season, including the BMW International Open in Munich in June.
“I’ve only been professional for a couple of months now,” he said. “Everything was working nicely today from tee to green and I made a few putts as well so that’s a good combination.
“I drove it nicely, I hit some nice wedges and I actually made a couple of good saves too so that always keeps the momentum going and that was big for me today.
“I think the course is brilliant and it’s definitely a ball strikers’ course. You’ve got to hit it well off the tee and I think that suits me.”
Schmid had family and friends watching him compete on home soil and admits that the positive atmosphere gave him the momentum he needed to perform well.
“I think we had a very positive atmosphere out there today and I took advantage nicely of that. I’m just trying to keep the pedal down and see what comes out at the end.”
England’s Nathan Kimsey, Daniel Hillier of New Zealand, Frenchman David Ravetto and Lukas Nemecz of Austria share fifth position on four under par, while Hugo Leon, winner of last week’s British Challenge Presented by Modest! Golf Management is one of eleven players a shot further back.
The second round of the Big Green Egg German Challenge powered by VcG will begin at 7:20am local time, with Schmid teeing it up alongside Jacques Blaauw of South Africa and Jens Fahrbring of Sweden at 8:00am.
