Alexander Levy fired six-under 66 to hold the joint lead in the lightning-affected Shenzhen International on yesterday, as two-time US Masters champion Bubba Watson made a slow start.
France’s Levy won his first European Tour trophy in the 2014 Volvo China Open at Genzon Golf Club in southern China and said he felt the good vibes as he returned to the course.
“I just played great today... I feel my game is in a good way,” the 25-year-old said in comments posted on the European Tour website.
“It’s nice because you have some big memories and, for me, it’s really nice to play on this place.”
Levy shared the lead with South Korea’s Lee Soo-Min, while South African Brandon Stone was a shot further back with one hole to play when the round was suspended for bad light.
The round was held up for 45 minutes as a lightning storm hovered, and 36 players were yet to complete 18 holes when fading light brought an end to day one.
America’s Watson, the world number four, shot 71 on the par-72 course to be tied for 33rd alongside Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Victor Dubuisson.
Nagano: Japan’s Ryutaro Nagano shot a six-under 65 on Thursday to take the lead after the first round of the Panasonic Open Golf Championship, saying he hopes his performance can encourage his earthquake-hit hometown.
Nagano fired six birdies and no bogeys at Chiba Country Club, southeast of Tokyo, and was followed by Jason Knutzon of the United States, who shot a five-under 66 with five birdies.
The Japanese golfer’s thoughts were with the citizens of his hometown of Kumamoto, which was hard hit by two powerful and deadly quakes that rocked the southwestern island of Kyushu last week and that have forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes.
“I hope I can be of help,” Nagano said ahead of the tournament.
“I want to do my best.”
Organisers cancelled a series of pre-match events in an effort to trim costs and send 10 million yen ($91,000) in donations for the disaster area.