Liang and Sterne set pace in Hong Kong

China’s Liang Wen-chong and South African Richard Sterne will take a one-stroke lead into the second day of the UBS Hong Kong Open after carding impressive opening rounds today.

Liang, bidding to become the first Asian player to win the event in a decade, carded a six-under-par 64 and would have taken the outright lead but for a bogey on the ninth, his final hole.

After seven birdies Liang reached the green on the par-four ninth in two but then three-putted for a bogey.

“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.”

Sterne, who carded eight birdies and two bogeys, has not won on the European Tour since the 2008 Joburg Open and is hoping to produce a consistent performance to give himself a chance on Sunday.

“I had a pretty good start and I just kept going,” said Sterne. “From the Masters on I have really struggled but I am still working on a few things.

“I am not all that comfortable, there are a couple of good things here and there but I have just been very erratic to be honest.”

Despite a field which contains six major champions it was Asian golfers who dominated the day as Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-tang and Frankie Minoza of the Philippines finished tied for third at five under.

Ireland's Paul McGinley, Graeme McDowell and Gareth Maybin are all one over after their rounds. Rory McIlroy fared one shot better and is tied in 47th position.

England’s Oliver Wilson, who lost out in a play-off to Sergio Garcia at the HSBC Champions recently, sank a birdie putt from eight feet on the 18th to ensure he is within touch of the leaders at four under.

Wilson carded seven birdies against three bogeys to share fifth place with Thai Chawalit Plaphol, Wang Ter-chang of Chinese Taipei and Italian Francesco Molinari.

“It was a pleasant round,” said the 28-year-old Ryder Cup player. “I am pleased with the finish and if I can stay up there all week it will be nice to be in contention again.”

Two-time major winner John Daly enjoyed a solid round with a two-under-par 68 to lie four shots off the lead.

“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.”

Colin Montgomerie also made a solid if unspectacular start with a 68 as he looked to mastermind a second title in three years.

Playing in his first European Tour event for over a year, Nick Faldo reeled off three successive birdies from the 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 will need to improve tomorrow after a disappointing round in which the Spaniard managed just two birdies and three bogeys to finish one over.