The BMW Open has a logjam at the top

MUNICH, Germany, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Three players are tied for the lead after the first round of the European Tour's BMW International Golf Tournament at Munich, Germany.

Over the first 18 holes Thursday, Gary Evans and David Howell of England and Martin Erlandsson of Sweden all shot 5-under 67 to take a one-shot lead over a group of five players that included England's Luke Donald and Peter Hedblom of Sweden.

That group shot 4-under 68.

Another 10 players shot 3-under 70.

Howell won the tournament by one stroke last year after shooting a 7-under 65 in the final round.

"Hopefully that is going to be the turning point now," Howell said. "The poor run I've had (recently) came as a bit of a shock."

Two-time PGA major tournament winner John Daly of the United States had to withdraw before the event began because he was hospitalized with a stomach virus.

Daly won this event in 2001.