Vets chasing rookie star Lorenzo-Vera

European Tour rookie Michael Lorenzo-Vera will take a one-stroke lead into the second round of the Volvo China Open after carding a five-under-par 67 today.

After a bogey on the first, the 23-year-old Frenchman picked up six birdies to finish one clear of a seven-strong chasing pack.

Lorenzo-Vera won the 2007 Challenge Tour and is playing in his 10th tour event of the season at the Beijing CBD International Golf Club.

His best finish to date was at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in December when he tied for ninth but he put himself in a promising position to better that with a fine opening round.

“I am making better decisions and it is getting easier on the course,” he said.

“I was making mistakes with the strategy and that is getting much better so I am very happy.”

English trio Zane Scotland, Simon Griffiths and Richard Finch joined Ireland’s Damien McGrane in a tie for second.

Scotland, looking to get his career back on track following a severe neck injury in 2003, carded six birdies and two bogeys while Asian Tour regular Griffiths carded an eagle on the par-four seventh on the way to his 68.

“I have been playing well and shooting the odd good score so I just need to persevere and hopefully more good scores will come,” said Scotland.

“I feel I am back where I should have been a few years ago.”

An eagle on the par-four 11th helped Finch soar up the leaderboard while the Yorkshireman also picked up five birdies.

Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell and defending champion Markus Brier were left with work to do in the second round to get into contention.

Brier carded a one-under-par 71 while McDowell, who won the Ballentines Championship in South Korea last month, carded a 73.

David Howell was back in the clubhouse on even par after a triple-bogey eight on his last hole.