Damien McGrane the pick of the Irish after Shenzhen first round

Damien McGrane was the pick of the Irish contingent on the opening day of the Shenzhen International as he carded a one over par 73 to sit seven shots off the first round lead of China’s Wen-yi Huang.

McGrane reached the turn one under at Genzon Golf Club following birdies on the second and ninth holes, however two dropped shots on the par three 12th and par four 18th saw him finish his round one over.

Peter Lawrie sits a shot further back after a 74 which saw him get off to a flyer with a birdie on the first but included an ugly double bogey on the par four 15th.

He is also joined on two over by Kevin Phelan, who dropped a shot on the final hole, while Michael Hoey also carded a 74.

Bubba Watson, who failed to mount a serious defence of his US Masters title at Augusta last week, is tied for 17th place on two under par after three straight birdies on the fifth, sixth and seventh helped him recover from two bogeys in the opening two holes.