Alastair Forsyth made a good start to the Hong Kong Open in Fanling as the Scot looks to save his European Tour card for next season.
The 38 year old, who won twice on The European Tour before losing his full playing rights at the end of 2010, finds himself down at 162nd on The Race to Dubai after regaining his card at Qualifying School last November.
After making a promising start to the year with four consecutive made cuts, the World Number 862 has made just five weekends in his last 18 appearances – one of them at the Madeira Islands Open where he suffered the tragedy of his caddie Iain McGregor dying on the fairway during the final round.
With just this event and next week’s ISPS HANDA Perth International left to climb into the top 110, four birdies in an outward 30 propelled Forsyth into the lead on four under par at Hong Kong Golf Club, one ahead of Angelo Que of the Philippines, local amateur Roderick Staunton, and America’s recent Omega European Masters winner David Lipsky.
Defending champion Miguel Angel Jiménez, looking to win this title for a record fifth time, was two over par through eight holes, while four-time Major winner Ernie Els was among the later starters.
