Liang sets early pace in Hong Kong

Liang Wen-chong took the clubhouse lead midway through the first round of the UBS Hong Kong Open today after carding a six-under-par 64.

The Chinese number one is bidding to become the first Asian to win the event in a decade and gave his chances of achieving that a shot in the arm with an impressive round at the Hong Kong Golf Club.

Starting on the 10th tee Liang, 30, made the ideal start with a birdie before adding another three on the 12th, 13th and 18th to reach the turn at four under.

It appeared the 2007 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner would complete a faultless round as he picked up another three birdies coming home but bogeyed the par-four eighth when he three putted after reaching the green in two.

“My performance today was good but there are still three days left,” said Liang.

“My putting feels good and I have been very patient in taking every hole step-by-step.”

Wang Ter-chang, who had changed his putter prior to the tournament after drawing inspiration from Phil Mickelson at the Singapore Open last week, finished two shots behind Liang at four under alongside Thailand’s Chawalit Plaphol.

England’s Oliver Fisher carded six birdies against four bogeys to return to the clubhouse at three-under-par.

The 20-year-old is tied for fourth with Australian Marcus Fraser, Swede Jarmo Sandelin and Mikko Ilonen of Finland.

Two-time Major winner John Daly enjoyed a solid round as the American carded a two-under-par 68 and is among a group of eight players tied for eighth.

“I felt like I putted well,” said the 42-year-old. “I made five or six one putts meaning I hit a lot of greens. I am pretty happy with that.”

Playing in his first European Tour event for over a year, Nick Faldo reeled off three successive birdies from second but three bogeys and a double bogey on the par-three eighth meant the 51-year-old finished two-over-par.

Defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez was even par through four holes after the Spaniard bogeyed the first before picking up a shot on the par-five third.