Levy sets hot pace with 63

France’s Alexander Levy made the ideal start in his bid for a second Volvo China Open title with an opening 63 in Beijing.

Levy, who has finished in the top 30 in each of his last seven appearances in China, fired nine birdies in a flawless round to finish a shot ahead of Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal.

After starting on the back nine at Topwin Golf and Country Club, which offers spectacular views of the Great Wall of China, Levy birdied the 13th, 15th and 17th to reach the turn in 33.

The 26-year-old then birdied four holes in a row from the second and finished in style with further gains on the eighth and ninth as the early starters made the most of calm conditions.

Larrazabal carded eight birdies in an error-free 64.

Scots Richie Ramsay, Stephen Gallacher and David Drysdale were in a group on 71.

Leading scores (Gbr & Irl unless stated, par 72): 63 Alexander Levy (Fra) 64 Pablo Larrazabal (Spa) 67 Peter Hanson (Swe), Dean Burmester (Rsa), George Coetzee (Rsa), Raphael Jacquelin (Fra), James Morrison

68 Yi Cao (Chn), Joost Luiten (Ned), Jorge Campillo (Spa), Jaco Van Zyl (Rsa) Other scores included: 71 Richie Ramsay, David Drysdale, Stephen Gallacher