Howell on course in China

David Howell was relishing life among the pacesetters after firing himself into early contention following the first round of the TCL Classic in the Chinese resort of Hainan.

The world number 14 – who he defeated Tiger Woods in last year’s HSBC Champions tournament – shot an eight-under-par 64 around the Yalong Bay Golf Club on a day when the course record was bettered by two golfers.