Co-leaders at the BMW PGA Championship

SURREY, England, May 24 (UPI) -- Paul Broadhurst and Justin Rose shot 6-under-par 66s Thursday to share the lead after one round of the European Tour's BMW PGA Championship in Surrey, England.

Broadhurst, a six-time winner on the European Tour, played his 51st round at the event.

His round included five birdies in the first eight holes, and 21 putts overall.

"That's the best score I have had here and it certainly took long enough to pull one out," he said. "It's one of the best putting rounds I have ever had."

Rose also benefited from a hot putter.

"I putted really, really well today," Rose said. "I hit very few putts in practice, but every time the putter felt really, really good in my hands."

There is a four-way tie for third at 5-under 67.

That group includes last year's runner-up, Simon Khan.

Defending champion David Howell withdrew due to a back injury.