Sergio Garcia holds one-shot lead at BMW Masters in Shanghai
Friday 13 November 2015 09:24, UK
Sergio Garcia made a flying start to his final event of the season by firing an eight-under 64 to hold a one-shot lead after the opening round of the BMW Masters.
The Spaniard, without a victory worldwide in 2015, posted nine birdies during an impressive display at Lake Malaren GC on Thursday to sit one clear of nearest challengers Byeong Hun An and Victor Dubuisson.
Beginning on the back nine, Garcia birdied four of his opening five holes in overcast conditions in Shanghai, before posting his only blemish of the round when he missed the green off the tee at the short 17th.
Back-to-back gains from the first lifted the Ryder Cup star into a share of the lead alongside early pacesetters Thongchai Jaidee and David Howell, only for Garcia to take the outright advantage by picking up another stroke at the fourth.
Garcia, who will not be playing in next week's season finale in Dubai, holed from six feet for a birdie on the sixth and pitched to two feet on the next to get to eight under, closing with successive pars to set a clubhouse target that was not matched.
"I obviously played nicely," Garcia said. "Conditions were quite good, not much wind. A little bit of a drizzle but other than that, it was good.
Live European Tour Golf
"I drove the ball very well and that gave me a lot of opportunities to hit some good iron shots.
"It's the kind of round that you are looking for and hopefully I keep improving as the week goes on and we'll be out there on Sunday having a chance."
An threatened the top of the leaderboard when a gain at the seventh took him to seven under with two holes to play, but the BMW PGA Champion missed his birdie putt at the eighth and dragged a five-foot chance at the next past the left edge of the cup.
A bogey-free 65 from An was matched by playing partner Dubuisson, who won the Turkish Airlines Open a fortnight ago but was ineligible for the HSBC Champions, with the Frenchman finishing with a kick-in gain on his final hole.
Ross Fisher closed with successive birdies to card a six-under 66 alongside Lucas Bjerregaard, with one-time joint-leader Jaidee joining Justin Rose and Paul Casey a further stroke back after two late dropped shots.
Live European Tour Golf
The race is on
With Rory McIlroy not competing, his rivals in the Race to Dubai had the chance to overtake the four-time major winner, with Danny Willett just needing to finish 28th or better in the 78-man field.
The Englishman posted three bogeys on a frustrating second nine to close a level-par 72 to sit in a tie for 48th, while Shane Lowry and Louis Oosthuizen, who could move top of the standings if they finish second or better, lie six shots off the pace.
Watch the BMW Masters live throughout the week on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf, or watch without a contract on NOW TV
