BMW International Open 2016: Thursday Leaderboard Scores and Highlights

Raphael Jacquelin held a one-shot lead atop the leaderboard at the 2016 BMW International Open on Thursday, finished the round with a seven-under 65. 

Oliver Fisher is one shot behind him in Pulheim, Germany, while three players sit on five under—Felipe Aguilar, Zander Lombard and Thorbjorn Olesen.

Here is how the leaderboard is shaping up after the first day of play, and read on for a more in-depth look at how it played out:

Position	Player	To Par	Score
1	Raphael Jacquelin	-7	65
2	Oliver Fisher	-6	66
T3	Felipe Aguilar	-5	67
T3	Zander Lombard	-5	67
T3	Thorbjorn Olesen	-5	67
T6	Henrik Stenson	-4	68
T6	Jeff Winther	-4	68
T6	Magnus A Carlsson	-4	68
T6	Roope Kakko	-4	68
T6	Darren Fichardt	-4	68

The full leaderboard can be accessed via the European Tour's official website.

Thursday Recap

Jacquelin and Fisher stood out on Day 1, carding unblemished rounds.

The Frenchman picked up shots at the 13th, 15th, 16th and 18th holes, as he finished the back nine with a score of 32.

Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

Successive birdies at the second and third saw him pull level with Fisher, and he surpassed the Englishman when he reached the green of the par-five seventh in two shots to pick up his seventh birdie overall.

Fisher had set the clubhouse lead earlier on, picking up three shots in each nine. The 27-year-old was excellent throughout, hitting 17 greens in regulation amid a strong round.

Per the European Tour, he had sealed his lead with a 20-foot birdie on the 17th:

According to the Tour's official website, Fisher reflected positively on his effort:

"

I’m very delighted. The course is obviously pretty wet from the weather they have had lately here. You've got to hit fairways and hit greens and I've done that today and played well. Anytime you go bogey-free for 18 holes is a good round.

The guys that hit the fairways and tee-to-green around here generally do pretty well. Today that's what I've done well, and a round of 66, I'm very pleased.

"

Local favourite Marcel Siem enjoyed a promising start, kicking off his second nine with consecutive birdies at the first and second to move to four under.

However, a disastrous run between the fourth and sixth saw him pick up a bogey and back-to-back double bogeys. He was able to stop the rot in style, though:

Unfortunately, another dropped shot on his final hole saw him end his round on one over, which has most likely put an end to his challenge.

Richie Ramsay didn't pull up any trees with his round of 71, but he did provide one of the highlights of the day at the 16th:

Sergio Garcia also managed one under, while Masters winner Danny Willett had a round to forget at two over. 

Henrik Stenson was among those to reach four under, though, so the likes of Jacquelin and Fisher will need to be wary of the Swede, who is searching for his 10th European Tour win.