European Tour winners Garth Mulroy and Peter Uihlein shared the lead as the inaugural Shenzhen International began at Genzon Golf Club.
Former Madeira Islands Open and Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Uihlein was only level par at the turn, but the American birdied the tenth, 13th, 14th and 16th to reach four under par.
That was level with South Africa’s Mulroy, who won the Alfred Dunhill Championship in 2011.
Starting on the back nine, Mulroy picked up shots at the tenth, 11th, 14th and 17th to go out in a four under par 32.
Chinese 19 year old sensation Li Hao-tong, a four-time winner in his home country in 2014, was among those one behind the leading pair, along with England’s former Ryder Cup star Ross Fisher, Finland’s Mikko Korhonen, France’s Romain Wattel, Australia’s Marcus Fraser and Welshman Bradley Dredge.
Two-time Masters Tournament winner Bubba Watson was one over through 12 holes.
