GOLF TOUR NEWS:MARCEL SIEM is hoping a change of approach to his golf could pay dividends this weekend after the German shot a superb eight-under-par 64 to take a one-stroke lead in the opening round of the inaugural Avantha Masters in New Delhi.

The 29-year-old is searching for only his second win on the European Tour following his victory at the Dunhill Championship six years ago. Siem’s best finish in the five tournaments he has played this season was tied-22nd at the Joburg Open but he got his bid for victory off to a solid start in India yesterday with eight birdies before an eagle on the ninth – his last – moved him ahead of Chan Yih-shin of Chinese Taipei.

Siem revealed he has adopted a different approach to his game – including reverting to his old swing style – in a bid to give himself every chance of securing that elusive second win this season.

“I have gone back to my old swing, gone from the fade to the high draw that I used to play which is my natural game,” he said.

“I have been working harder than ever before as well. I spent 10 hours on the range on Monday and Tuesday this week and that is something that I have never done before so I am taking this a lot more seriously these days.”

English duo John Parry and Barry Lane kept themselves in contention after carding matching 67s to sit in a group of seven players tied third.

Fellow Englishman Oliver Fisher started well and held a share of the lead midway through his round but a double bogey on the par-five 14th saw him drop into a share of 26th place on two under.

Gareth Maybin was the best of the Irish contingent with an opening 70 while Darren Clarke and Shane Lowry finished one under following a 71. Gary Murphy is three further back after his 74.

World number 59 Jeev Milkha Singh – the highest ranked player at the tournament – was level par after three birdies and as many bogeys left him eight shots off the pace. “I know that a really good round tomorrow could very quickly change the scenario for me,” said Singh.