MUNICH, Germany -- Ernie Els took the lead in the first round of the BMW International Open on Thursday after an eagle and seven birdies steered him to a 9-under 63. The South African, who won the British Open in 2002 and 2012 and the U.S. Open in 1994 and 1997, almost had a second eagle at the last that would have equaled a course record. Still, he was content with a two-putt birdie that gave him a one-stroke lead. "It doesnt really mean much until Sunday. But getting into the race, so to speak, early on in the tournament is nice, to be right in the hunt," Els said. Matthew Baldwin of England, Swedens Alex Noren, Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen and Germanys Martin Kaymer, who delighted the home crowd in the afternoon by finishing with three successive birdies, and nine in all, have a share of second place after carding 64s. "I had a lot of chances on the back nine and I pretty much made all of them," said Kaymer, who won this tournament in 2008. Baldwin and Noren both had eight birdies in the morning, while Derksen had six, as well as an eagle in the afternoon. English pair Matthew Nixon and Tom Lewis, along with Alexander Levy of France, are tied for sixth, one stroke further back. "Hats off, it was just everything went right, holed a lot of putts and thats that, really," Nixon said. "I had two eagles and my dad is always telling me Im rubbish at par-5s so hopefully hell feel better about that." Els finished tied for fourth at the U.S. Open last week and had a share of sixth place at the Wentworth Club in his previous two tournaments. "Ive really been working hard at my game," the 43-year-old said. "I could feel that things were coming around a bit. Ive had a bit of an iffy year up to now, but I really feel that my swing feels good and my body feels good, so I can swing the club properly." Els started at the 10th, and fired five birdies in the outward 31. He holed a 40-foot birdie putt on the short second, before doing brilliantly on the par-five sixth. Despite finding himself in the rough facing a flag guarded by water, he drove the ball almost 250 yards to within five feet of the hole, before putting for the eagle. "Its just a pleasure to play, not to go through a torture chamber like I did at the U.S. Open. So, a nice start," Els said. American Dustin Johnson was among a group of 10 to finish with 6-under 66s, including South Africas Brandon Stone on his professional debut. "I drove it well, hit it well. I holed a couple putts but I missed quite a few short ones," said Johnson, who managed six birdies. "Im happy with where Im at right now and Im looking forward to coming back in the morning and playing better." Authentic Greg Maddux Jersey . Philadelphia is 2-0 against the Senators this season and scored five goals in each victory. The Flyers recorded a 5-0 win in Ottawa on Nov. 12 and then earned a 5-2 home decision on Nov. 19. 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Authentic Billy Williams Jersey .com) - Following a late-game loss to the reigning NBA champs, the Toronto Raptors will look to sustain their recent high-level play as they travel to Indiana to take on the Pacers. Authentic Carlos Zambrano Jersey . The Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers all won on Sunday meaning the Rangers will host the Rays in a play-in game on Monday. Surrey 299 for 7 (Roy 120, Onions 4-68) trail Durham 401 (Jennings 201*, Footitt 5-90) by 102 runsScorecard A plucky century by Jason Roy helped Surrey to 299 for 7 in reply to Durhams 401 in the Specsavers County Championship match at Chester-le-Street.In spending 103 balls over his first 50, the England one-day batsman either missed it or middled it. But his second 50 required only 41 balls, with most of his last 20 runs being easy pickings off future team-mate Scott Borthwick.He sat back to clobber a short ball from the legspinner between mid-off and extra cover to reach three figures with his 14th four.But after sharing a third-wicket stand of 164 with Zafar Ansari four wickets went down for 24 runs.Ansari went for a very solid 48 when he edged a drive at Keaton Jennings to slip, then Mark Wood struck with his second delivery with the new ball and Graham Onions with his first.Ben Foakes was lbw when he walked across, looking to turn Wood to leg, and Roy went for 120 when Onions skidded one through to knock him off his feet and claim another lbw verdict.Onions produced another beauty four overs later to claim his fourth wicket, beating Tom Currans forward push to trim his off bail.Durham were twice convinced they had Roy caught behind, but his edges tended to be of the thicker variety, one flying wide of gully when looking to turn the impressive Brydon Carse to leg.He hit Paul Colliingwoods first ball just out of short extra covers reach, and on 42 Onions had him in all kinds of trouble.ddddddddddddA ball which Roy played into the ground lobbed up and dropped just over the stumps, then he was beaten twice in the same over.Onions also took two wickets in four balls shortly after lunch. He beat Dominic Sibleys forward push on 31 to nick the off stump then nipped one back to have Kumar Sangakkara lbw for 48. In the morning Jennings was left stranded on 201, becoming the seventh player to carry his bat through a Durham innings.Although the fifth batting point was achieved when last man Onions scored the days first seven runs, he then drove a catch to cover to give Mark Footitt his fifth wicket.The only Surrey batsman to fall before lunch was Rory Burns, who was given an uncomfortable time by Wood and fell for 15 when an in-swinger took the inside edge on the way to wicketkeeper Stuart Poynter.Faced with an attack of Wood, Onions, Ben Stokes and the pacy Carse, Sibley played well enough to suggest he wont be the one making way for Mark Stoneman, or Borthwick.Carse, back after a three-month injury absence, posed the greatest threat. He beat Sangakkara twice in his first two overs and remained out of luck as he and Stokes emerged wicketless. ' ' '