Bernhard Langer was today struggling to keep alive his chances of a first BMW International Open title after suffering food poisoning.
The German picked up a stomach bug last night after carding an eight under par 64 to take a one-shot leader after the first round in Munich.
The 45-year-old was not even certain he would be able to start his round and was clearly still feeling the effects when he teed off at 1.20 p.m. local time.
Bogeys at the first two holes dropped him back to six-under par, now seven shots off the lead held by English duo Richard Bland and Jamie Spence, and it remained to be seen if he would be able to complete the round.
Bland lost out in a four-way play-off for the Irish Open in June but won enough money to secure his card for next year in his first full season on tour.
"I took a lot of confidence from the Irish Open and my main aim now is to contend more often so you get used to the situation," said Bland, whose close friend Matthew Le Tissier caddied for him in the Scottish Open.
Defending champion John Daly birdied the last to finish four-under and probably make the halfway cut, while playing partner Justin Rose was round in 67 to be seven-under.
Ireland’s Padraig Harrington was making progress of his own. By the time the Dubliner had reached turn he was five-under courtesy of a birdie at the third followed by an eagle at the sixth.
Paul McGinley was next of the home players on four-under after six holes. Des Smyth got back to level par with his 71 but looks to be at least two shots away from making the cut at this stage.
Injury and illness was fast becoming a major theme of the week after Colin Montgomerie and Greg Norman pulled out of the event on Tuesday citing back injuries. Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance did the same after nine holes of his first round yesterday.
The most serious problem had afflicted one of the caddies however, Ian Poulter's caddie, Jimmy Rae, was hospitalised last night suffering from pneumonia.
Rae, widely-known as "Edinburgh Jimmy", felt ill during yesterday's first round but managed to complete all 18 holes as Poulter carded a 65 to finish one shot behind Langer.
PA