Russell Knox enjoyed his first experience of defending a European Tour title as he fired an opening 66 at the WGC-HSBC Champions.
The Scotsman was making his World Golf Championships debut at Sheshan International Golf Club last season but showed no signs of nerves as he recorded a 20 under total to beat Kevin Kisner by two strokes.
The 31 year old once again kept his cool on Thursday, making six birdies to sit two shots behind first-round leader Rikard Karlberg and he was delighted with his day's work in a very wet Shanghai.
"I'm always thrilled with no bogeys and my first round is never my strongest round," he said. "So to get off to a flyer and shoot six under, I'm delighted.
"I didn't put any pressure on myself. I didn't feel overly tight out there, so I was proud of myself to kind of relax and enjoy it. It can only be your first defence once, so I'll make sure I'm going to have a good time the next three days."
Knox was not the only past winner to get off to a good start in China, with 2010 champion Francesco Molinari and Sergio Garcia - who won the first of two stagings in the 2009 season - both in contention.
Molinari won his last European Tour event as he delighted the home crowds at the Italian Open and he was happy to continue his good from with a 67.
"I hit most fairways and most greens, so a boring round of golf in a nice way," he said. "I'm really happy.
"Obviously it was a bit tricky with the rain. It was raining for a while and then stopping and then raining again.
It can only be your first defence once, so I'll make sure I'm going to have a good time - Russell Knox
"I'm glad with the start and hope to play like this for the remainder of the week. I like playing here no matter if it's firm or soft. It's a good course and you need to hit good shots and I enjoy it. I enjoy playing here."
Garcia also has fond memories of Sheshan International but admits the thicker rough means accuracy is vital this week.
"It brings good memories from 2008," he said following his 68. "It definitely helps a little bit, so we're happy with that.
"We've been playing here for a long time now but the rough is a little bit thicker than it's been lately, so you obviously have to avoid it the best way possible.
"I managed to do that, other than a couple of holes. But it's just very wet out there and you've just got to try to put it in play the best way possible."
