Andrea Pavan and Lu Wei-chih shared the clubhouse lead in the first round of the UBS Hong Kong Open on a day when those fighting to keep their European Tour cards for next season battled it out near the top of the leaderboard.
Lu, who came close to retirement three years ago after undergoing brain surgery, fired an opening 64 at Hong Kong Golf Club to take a share of the early lead with Pavan.
The 36 year old from Chinese Taipei claimed three wins on the Asian Tour before a non-malignant tumour was discovered in 2012 and he showed glimpses of his old form as he registered eight birdies and two bogeys in Fanling.
Lu got off to a disappointing start with a bogey on the par five third but he responded brilliantly with birdies on the fourth, fifth and sixth to reach the turn in 32.
Further gains followed at the tenth, 11th and 13th and when he holed a curling 20 foot putt on the 15th, Lu held the outright lead.
But he missed a ten footer for a second bogey of the day on the 16th before getting back to six under on his penultimate hole.
"Today, the first three holes, I was not feeling very focused on the golf course," he said. "And then after the third hole bogey, I just told myself that I can't do this because if I don't try to get back to my form, it might not be a good round.
Fortunately, starting on number four, I birdied four, five and six, and I started feeling much better and getting into the flow. Then the back nine, I felt very comfortable. Today is a really good round for me - Lu Wei-chih
Pavan came into this week 191st in the Race to Dubai and will need to finish second or better to keep hold of his playing privileges for next season. That would represent a career-best for the Italian who has never had a top-three finish and four birdies in his last six holes got him off to a positive start.
The 26 year old birdied the second but gave the shot straight back on the next before making more gains on the fifth and seventh. A birdie on the 13th then kicked off the impressive finish that handed him a share of the lead at six under.
Lu's countryman CT Pan was a shot behind the leaders on five under after recording six birdies and a single bogey in an opening 65.
SSP Chawrasia, Oliver Fisher and Kevin Phelan were then all on four under as they look to secure a card for next season.
Chawrasia came into the week 111th in the Race to Dubai, one place short of securing his place for 2016 and knowing he would have to at least make the cut to avoid a trip to the Qualifying School.
And he came out of the gate like a man with something to play for, parring his first two holes but then going on a run of five consecutive birdies from the 13th to sit at five under.
He could not maintain that pace with a bogey coming on the third but he has reason to be happy with his day's work.
Fisher, who may well be looking over his shoulder at 105th in the Race to Dubai, made five birdies and a bogey to also sit at four under alongside Phelan, who needs to finish at least sixth or better this week.
The Irishman made a steady start, with birdies on the third and seventh before giving a shot back on the eighth but he made another gain on the tenth.
Three birdies in four holes from the 14th then catapulted him up the leaderboard before he dropped a shot on the last.
Prom Meesawat had set the early pace as he also battles to preserve his card for next year. The Thai sits right on the line at 110th in the standings and birdies on the 12th, 16th and 17th holes gave his chances a major boost.
Another gain followed on the fourth but bogeys on the fifth and ninth stalled his momentum before he closed with a fifth birdie of the day to sit at three under.
Matthew Fitzpatrick was also three behind the leaders in his first appearance since winning his maiden title at the British Masters supported by Sky Sports courtesy of six birdies and three bogeys.
Roope Kakko, Lin Wen-tang and Chapchai Nirat were also three under, one clear of American World Number 20 Patrick Reed.
