England’s David Howell was pleased to continue his excellent start to the year as he grabbed a share of the first round lead at the Volvo China Open.
Already a runner-up in Johannesburg this season and fourth in last week’s Shenzhen International, the former Ryder Cup star compiled a four under par 68 at Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club in Shanghai to join Wales’ Bradley Dredge and New Zealand’s Michael Hendry at the top of the leaderboard.
While Dredge and Hendry produced flawless rounds in the morning, 39 year old Howell had to contend with a slight breeze in the afternoon and an opening birdie was cancelled out by a dropped shot at the third.
Having reached red figures again with a gain at the ninth, Howell converted a chance from eight feet at the 11th, chipped to two feet at the 13th, and saved the best for last by holing a 40-footer on the 17th.
“I’m delighted, it’s a really different test this week,” said Howell, who won the last of his five European Tour titles at St Andrews in October 2013.
“We knew it was firm in practice, but it was hard to work out how difficult it was going to be. The scoring showed people are finding it tricky.
“I drove the ball beautifully today, really found my rhythm on the range and took it out onto the course so I kept the ball in play well and did a lot of things right.
“There was a decent breeze out there, but really it’s the firmness of the greens that is making it difficult for everyone. The greens are in great condition and you’ve really got to think your way round.”
Dredge had correctly predicted that his round would be enough for a share of the lead at the close of play, having picked up birdies on the second, sixth, tenth and 13th.
“The greens were really firm so the big thing was if you were hitting fairways you had chances,” said Dredge, a two-time European Tour winner who lost his card at the end of a disappointing 2012 season, but regained it in fine style with consecutive runner-up finishes in Denmark and the Czech Republic last year.
“It was never easy getting the ball close to the hole with slopes on the greens and the firmness; it was quite tricky round there.
“This afternoon the wind is going to get up and it will be firmer still, so I’d be surprised if four under was beaten.”
Hendry won on the Japan Golf Tour last week, and admitted that had provided a welcome confidence boost.
“It makes the game a little easier I think,” he said. “It’s always nice to play tournaments when you’re in good form.”
Defending champion Alex Levy was one behind the leaders after a three under par, alongside fellow Frenchman Julien Quesne and Australian Marcus Fraser.
