Lorenzo-Vera leads after round one of China Open
Thursday, 17 Apr 2008 11:36
Graeme McDowell had a difficult first day at the China Open
France's Michael Lorenzo-Vera has carded a five-under-par round of 67 to take an early lead in the China Open in Beijing.
With many of the European Tour's top players taking a week's rest following the US Masters, Lorenzo-Vera – who is 123rd in the Order of Merit standings – enjoyed a six-birdie round on the first day.
His only bogey of the day came at the par-four first hole but he recovered to head the leaderboard in the clubhouse.
Englishmen Richard Finch, Zane Scotland and Simon Griffiths are all part of a seven-player group tied for second after four-under-par first rounds.
Ireland's Damien McGrane is in the same group and still in contention with the leaders, while two other Englishmen - Miles Tunnicliff and John Bickerton – are tied for 12th on two under par.
Ross Fisher - 12th in the Order of Merit - endured a difficult day, as a two-over-par round put him in danger of missing the cut.
The same is true of Graeme McDowell, who is 5th in the European Tour standings, but whose disappointing one-over-par round of 73 puts him in a tie for 42nd in the tournament overall.