Staff WriterMarcel Siem has never been accused of doing things quietly, and at the Betfred British Masters on Thursday, the German veteran turned what looked like a sleepy afternoon stroll into a fireworks display.
A back nine of blistering birdies lifted the 45-year-old into a four-way share of the lead at The Belfry, proving once again that golf’s middle-aged contingent refuses to go gently into that good night.
Siem carded a six-under-par 66 to join South Africa’s Thomas Aiken, China’s Haotong Li, and Austria’s Matthias Schwab at the top of the leaderboard. One shot back lurked England’s Matt Fitzpatrick and Japan’s Keita Nakajima, no strangers to causing trouble on a Thursday.
It wasn’t all champagne golf to start with. Siem began in the penultimate group, mixing a birdie with two bogeys to limp to the turn at one under.
But then came the Brabazon’s infamous 10th hole—where countless reputations have sunk into the pond—and Siem, in his words, decided to risk it. His bold line to the fringe set up a two-putt birdie that lit the fuse.
What followed was three straight gains, capped with another at the par-three 14th. A muscular two-shot effort at the par-five 17th and a routine birdie putt dragged him into the overnight penthouse suite with Aiken, Li, and Schwab.
“I was a bit rusty, I thought, but I came off a five-week break, and I’m really, really pleased,” said Siem, who has six DP World Tour titles to his name.
“The back nine was fantastic. Gained a bit of confidence. Played quite solid the front nine. And then, yeah, the hat started to drop. Risking the water on the 10 worked out.”
The German admitted he’s spent more time lifting dumbbells than golf clubs lately: “I concentrated more on my physical workouts. I worked really hard, I think harder than ever in my life, in the gym for three weeks. And I feel great. I’m 45. I have to work out in the gym; otherwise, I won’t last long here. And so I didn’t concentrate that much on my golf, to be honest. I played a lot on the course, but no technical stuff on the range. And, yeah, very happy.”
Schmidt’s Morning Fireworks
While Siem stole the show late, the morning belonged to England’s Ben Schmidt. Playing in the opening group, the 23-year-old made his first professional ace at the par-three 14th—the very same hole Sir Nick Faldo, this week’s tournament host, holed out during the 1993 Ryder Cup.
The shot triggered a £50,000 donation to the event’s charity partner, Guide Dogs, ensuring Schmidt’s name will live far longer than the ball he dunked.
His was one of 14 eagles recorded on day one of the Betfred British Masters, with four more players driving the green at the short par-four 10th. Between the aces, eagles, and derring-do, the charitable pot swelled to £59,000 by the day’s end.
Ryder Cup Watch
There was also quiet significance in the round of Denmark’s Rasmus Højgaard. With a Ryder Cup berth dangling tantalisingly close—he needs to finish tied 29th or better—the 23-year-old opened with a tidy 69 to sit tied 12th. The kid might just be packing his bags for Bethpage.
As opening salvos go, day one at The Belfry had a bit of everything: a veteran rediscovering his spark, a youngster holing the shot of his life, and a Ryder Cup hopeful edging closer to the biggest stage of all.
And with Siem setting the tone, the Betfred British Masters is already shaping up to be a rollicking week.
