Australia's David Micheluzzi leads by a stroke at BMW International Open

Australia's David Micheluzzi relied on an "elite" short game to claim a narrow lead after the opening round of the BMW International Open.

Micheluzzi carded seven birdies and a solitary bogey to return a six-under-par 66 and enjoy a one-shot lead over English teenager Frank Kennedy, former Masters champion Patrick Reed, Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson and South African Casey Jarvis.

"It was kind of all over the shop to be honest," Michelluzzi said of his round at Golfclub Munchen Eichenried.

"I was a little bit wayward with the swing early but the putter and short game were elite today and then on the back nine I gave myself some chances.

"If you saw the way I was hitting it you’d be like 'How the hell did you get a top 10?’ [last week] but the short game and putting at the moment I’ve just gotten a really good feel of it in the last probably two or three weeks.

"Just got to hit some greens and we’ll be flying."

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Kennedy, who turned professional 12 months ago after reaching the semi-finals of the Amateur Championship, has struggled to make his mark in the paid ranks so far, but carded seven birdies in an encouraging 67.

"It’s been a shaky start so far but nice to go out and put a score on the board and get set for tomorrow," the 18-year-old said.

"The people out here, they couldn’t be any nicer. I’m finding my feet and starting to play some better golf so just from here I want to keep it going."

Reed described his own 67 as "stress free", although the former world number six will have been disappointed not to build on a flying start after covering his first seven holes in four under.

"I felt like I left a couple [of shots] out there today but as a whole I went out and did what I needed to do," Reed, who plays mainly in