Flying start for Casey

Englishman Paul Casey was the early clubhouse leader on the first day of the TCL Classic in China.

Casey is eight under par after the first 18 holes, making eight birdies in his opening round.

The 27-year-old is closely followed by Scottish duo Steven O’Hara and Ross Bain, plus American Corey Harris, Canadian Darren Griff and Argentina’s Ariel Canete, all on seven under with a first-round 65.

Colin Montgomerie remains in touch with a five-under first round as he aims for a top-two finish in this European Tour event to reach the world top 50.

Currently ranked 54th, Montgomerie needs to be first or second if he is to move up the requisite four places and qualify for the Masters in Augusta.

And he carded a respectable 67 in the opening round with six birdies and a bogey at the par-five 13th.

O’Hara suffered mixed fortunes in the first round, following up five birdies with a double bogey at 13 before recovering with two birdies and an eagle straight away.

Bain, meanwhile, was less erratic and hit five birdies and an eagle to join his countryman in the chasing pack.

England’s Sam Little and Dane Thomas Bjorn are among a group of seven players on six under while new Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam ended the day two under with a 70.