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Watney sizzles in Shanghai

World number one Woods in the mix after opening 67

Last updated: 6th November 2009

Watney: two-shot lead

First round leaderboard:
(GB & Ire unless stated)
N Watney (US) -8
M Kaymer (Ger) -6
S Lowry -6
R Moore (US) -6

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Nick Watney fired a course record-equalling 64 to open up a two-shot lead after the first round of the WGC-HSBC Champions event in Shanghai.

The American, who won the Buick Invitational earlier in the season, finished the day on eight-under, two clear of compatriot Ryan Moore, Ireland's Shane Lowery and Race to Dubai contender Martin Kaymer.

World number one Tiger Woods ensured he was right in the thick of things after a 67 that left him in a share of fifth alongside Paul Casey, Lin Wen-tang of Chinese Taipei and another American, Anthony Kim - runner-up at last week's Volvo World Match Play Championship.

World number two Phil Mickelson is five shots off Watney's early pace after an opening 69, while the man that beat Kim in Spain, England's Ross Fisher, shot a 70 which leaves him at two-under.

That's the same score as Ernie Els, Camilo Villegas and Lee Westwood, but it was a disappointing opening day for Rory McIlroy who could do no better than 73 (one-over).

That was still some way better than defending champion Sergio Garcia who already looks out of contention after a 75.

It was watney who dominated the leaderboard through the day as he plundered seven birdies and an eagle to make the early running.

The 28-year-old, who started from the tenth tee, set the tone for his round by making birdie at his first two holes of the day.

Eagle putt

He then followed it by draining a 30-foot putt for eagle at the 14th and hit the turn at five-under after a further birdie at 15.

His sizzling form continued on the front nine as he put together a run of four straight birdies from the first to move well clear of the field at nine-under.

That is where the fireworks ended, though, and after four pars he signed off on a sour note with a three-putt birdie at the ninth, his last, which denied him the opportunity to better the course record held by Woods and seven others.

Despite that, the American remained upbeat, stating afterwards: "I played very well, I got off to a nice start. And the greens are so good that if you hit a putt on line, it's definitely going to go in.

"I was putting very well and I just tried to give myself as many chances as possible and I was able to make a few."

For his part, Woods - who was followed by large and sometimes noisy galleries - mixed six birdies and just a single bogey.

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