Peter Hanson continued to enhance his Race to Dubai chances with a six under par opening round at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions.
The Swede, who climbed to second with last week’s BMW Masters victory, carded a 66 to sit one shot behind leaders Louis Oosthuizen and Adam Scott in Shenzhen.
Victory at Mission Hills would see him overtake World Number One Rory McIlroy on The Race to Dubai with just three weeks remaining.
The 35 year old started on the back nine and continued his rich vein of recent form with birdies at the tenth and 15th.
A three-putt bogey at the 16th was followed by a 20 foot birdie putt at the short 17th and another gain at the next saw him turn in 33.
The Ryder Cup star then holed a 50 footer at the first, and picked up further shots at the third and seventh before saving par from deep rough at the ninth, his last.
"You obviously know that you're playing well but you stay fresh and feel fresh, and I thought I did that,” said Hanson.
“I took it pretty easy yesterday after the Pro-Am, only a couple of hours of practise up on the range and on the putting greens. It's all about keeping the head in the right mindset and keep grinding it out and keep playing aggressive.
“So I’m delighted with the start and hopefully I can build it up tomorrow."
