Friday 28 April 2017 23:49, UK
Alexander Levy fired a bogey-free 63 to earn a one-shot lead after the opening round of the Volvo China Open.
The three-time European Tour winner carded nine birdies in a flawless display at Topwin Golf and Country Club to set the clubhouse target, with Pablo Larrazabal his nearest challenger on eight under.
James Morrison sits in a share of third following an opening-round 67, while defending champion Li Haotong lies six strokes back following a three-under 69.
Beginning on the back nine, Larrazabal grabbed the early lead by birdieing four of his opening six holes to reach the turn in 32.
Levy was one off the pace heading in to his second nine but responded by following a gain at the second with a 30-foot birdie at the next.
The Frenchman briefly went two clear with a close-range birdie at the fourth, only for Larrazabal - playing two groups behind - to hole a 45-foot gain at the third.
The pair exchanged birdies at the par-four fifth, before Larrazabal picked up a shot at the seventh and matched Levy's gain at the eighth.
Levy rolled in from eight feet at the ninth - his final hole - to edge back ahead, with Larrazabal closing with a par to post his lowest round of the year.
Peter Hanson birdied his final three holes to join James Morrison, Rapahel Jacquelin and George Coetzee on five under, with Dean Burmester also posting a five-under 67 late in the day.
Top seed Bernd Wiesberger eagled his penultimate hole to post a three-under 69, with BMW PGA Champion Chris Wood closing a level-par 72 and Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn struggling to an opening 74.
Watch the Volvo China Open throughout the week live on Sky Sports - your home of golf. Coverage begins on Friday from 5.30am
