Ian Poulter and Justin Rose make good starts at Hong Kong Open

Ian Poulter's frantic dash to Hong Kong appeared to be a gamble worth taking as Justin Rose got off to an excellent start to the UBS Hong Kong Open.

Pre-tournament favourite Rose opened with a flawless five-birdie 65 to lie one shot behind first-round leaders Andrea Pavan and Lu Wei-chih, while Poulter fired a 67 despite only arriving in Hong Kong at 7pm on Wednesday evening.

After Poulter fell out of the world's top 50 at the start of the week, therefore making him ineligible for the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai next month, the Englishman needed to compete in the last regular-season event to make enough starts to retain his European Tour membership for next season.

He received a lifeline when former PGA champion and Sky Sports commentator Rich Beem graciously gave up his tournament invite, and he defied jet-lag and a lack of practice to card five birdies against two bogeys.

Poulter, who would also have been ineligible for next year's Ryder Cup had he lost his card, birdied the second and fifth only to give both shots back at eight and nine, but he cruised home in 33 to end the day just three strokes off the lead.

Pavan, who has never recorded a top-three on the European Tour, came into the week 191st in the Race to Dubai and needing to finish second or better to climb into the top 110 and keep hold of his playing privileges.

But the Italian gave himself every chance of a career-best as he birdied four of his last six holes to match the earlier 64 of Taiwan's Lu, who mixed eight birdies with two dropped shots.

"This year has been a struggle to say the least," Pavan said. "I'm just trying to dig deep and really look forward to every week. Obviously this is the last event of the year for me and then I'm looking to go to Q-School. So it's all about just giving myself chances.

Live European Tour Golf

"I'm just really trying to get my game in better shape. It's good on the range but I still feel like I'm lacking a bit of confidence. I know I have what it takes. It's been tough last year and this year, but it's all a learning curve and I really hope I can make the next step soon."

Lu, who came close to retirement three years ago after undergoing brain surgery, won three times on the Asian Tour before a non-malignant tumour was discovered in 2012.

"For the first six months after the surgery, I pretty much gave up all my confidence and trust because I had no power and I didn't think I could play golf anymore," the 36-year-old said. "I had to rest for another six months and then finally I started playing a little bit. If I played 18 holes, I could barely walk after 14 or 15 holes.

"But finally I started coming back mentally and physically. I just keep telling myself that I want to be a real golfer again and compete on the Tour."

Lu's countryman CT Pan and India's Jeev Milka Singh are alongside Rose on five under, while Graeme McDowell recovered from a bogey at the first with birdies at two and three, and he picked up further shots at eight, 10 and 17 to card a 66 along with England's Oliver Fisher and Irishman Kevin Phelan.

Fisher is 105th on the Race to Dubai and looks to be safe for next season, while Phelan is 123rd and in need of a good finish this week to secure his card.