Golf:Damien McGrane and Peter Lawrie moved to within three shots of the lead on the opening day of the Volvo China Open at a windy Jinji Lakes International Golf Club where Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee and Korea's Kim Do-hoon set a blistering pace.
Despite struggling with an elbow injury, the Thai golfer shot a flawless eight-under 64 with a card showing no less than six birdies - three on the spin from the seventh - and an eagle three at the par-five 14th.
The elbow strain forced the 40-year-old Thai to withdraw midway through the second round of the Masters last week and he admitted he briefly considering pulling out of the trip to China after receiving an injection before leaving Augusta.
“I played very solid after a week off last week. I had a good game plan,” said Thongchai.
“I was unable to practice on the course before, I only played two holes in the pro-am because the weather was terrible.
“But I hit a lot of fairways and a lot of greens and I made a lot of putts. Over the next few days, if my health stays okay as my arm is getting better and better everyday, I hope to get better and better.”
Kim blazed eight birdies and an eagle after following up a third-placed finish at the Luxehills Chengdu Open at the start of April with victory on his home tour last week at the SBS Tomato Open.
The pair lead by two from Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal, Chinese number one Liang Wen-chong and Jamie Donaldson from Wales, who all shot 66.
McGrane, winner of the event in 2008, started on the back nine and quickly made birdies at the 10th and 12th before reaching the turn in two under. Towards the end of the round further birdies came at the fifth, seventh and ninth with no dropped shots.
Lawrie also enjoyed a smooth passage with five birdies in a bogey-free round. The Irish pair were joined on five under by American Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin and Korea’s Soon-sang Hong.
US PGA Championship champion YE Yang, fresh from his eighth-place finish at the Masters last week, Finland’s Mikko Ilonen and Swede Henrik Stenson formed part of a group on four under.
After a slow start with bogeys on his opening two holes, Graeme McDowell recovered well for a two-under 70. The round would have been even better had he not signed-off with a bogey at the 18th. Irish Open champion Shane Lowry also shot 70.
Paul McGinley was a shot further back, while Gareth Maybin was round in level par.