Reed wins opening round in Shanghai

American Patrick Reed carded a blemish-free eight-under-par 64 to surge to the top of the leader board after the opening round of the WGCHSBC Champions in Shanghai on Thursday.

Teeing it up for the first time since the Ryder Cup, the reigning Masters champion showed no signs of rust as he made four birdies to make the turn in 32 before gains on the first three holes ensured he steered clear of the chasing pack.

Reed holed an 18-footer (5.5-meter) on his final hole to take a two-shot lead as he signed for a near-perfect opening round in windy conditions at the Sheshan International Golf Club.

“It feels great,” the 28-year-old said. “To be able to come out here and to be the first event back and to feel like I hit the ball really solid. I had full control, especially with how windy it was today.”

Fellow Americans Xander Schauffele and Tony Finau were the closest challenger at sixunder, while Englishman Matthew Fitzpatrick, who won the European Masters last month, finished a short further back for fourth spot.

Fitzpatrick’s compatriot Tommy Fleetwood, Thai Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Spaniard Rafa Cabrera Bello, American Billy Horschel and Chinese Taipei’s CT Pan were tied for fifth at four-under as several big names struggled.

World No.5 Rory McIlroy had to trust his instincts and play a shot with alternate hand to salvage a double-bogey on his way to a mixed-bag 72.

Brooks Koepka, who was making his debut as the world No.1, made one birdie and one bogey in his round of 72.

Defending champion Justin Rose was left fuming after a bogey on the final hole for a 69.