Benn Barham leads the Austrian Open

VIENNA, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- England's Benn Barham shot 8-under-par 63 Thursday for a one-stroke lead through 18 holes at the European Tour's Austrian Open in Vienna.

Barham offset his only bogey with an eagle at the par-4 13th and seven birdies.

"I've been playing well the last four or five weeks, so this is not a freak round," the 35-year-old Barham told reporters after his best round this season. "I don't feel I have hit the ball better at any point in my career (and) this time of year you have no choice -- either knuckle down and play well to keep your card or go somewhere else."

Australia's Brett Rumford and Scotland's Scott Simpson both shot 7-under 64 and share second place.

England's Mark Foster and three others shot 6-under 65 and are tied for fourth, while India's Jeev Milkha Singh did not return to defend his 2008 victory.