Patrick Reed hits eight birdies to take two-shot lead in Shanghai

Patrick Reed overcame windy conditions to claim a two-shot lead at the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai with an eight-under-par first-round 64.

The Masters champion, making his first appearance since the Ryder Cup, carded eight birdies in his blemish-free round at Sheshan International.

Fellow Americans Xander Schauffele and Tony Finau ended in a tie for second on six under with England’s Matt Fitzpatrick a shot further back.

Tommy Fleetwood was in a group of five on four under, while defending champion Justin Rose was on three under along with Ian Poulter and Matt Wallace.

Rory McIlroy finished on level-par 72, alongside new world number one Brooks Koepka, after battling to cancel out a double bogey and two bogeys with four birdies.

Reed, playing the back nine first, started superbly with birdies at the 11th and 12th and picked up two more shots before a run of three successive birdies after the turn saw him power ahead.

He added another birdie on the ninth, his last.

The American told europeantour. com: “I really just need to keep on taking it day by day and try to shoot the lowest round I can each day.

“Hopefully, I’ll shoot a couple more of these rounds, I think that will help me out.”

Schauffele’s 66, which came in his 25th birthday, also did not feature a dropped shot while Finau’s card included one bogey and seven birdies. Fitzpatrick recovered well to shoot 67 after two bogeys in his opening four holes.

Former world number one Dustin Johnson laboured to a two-over-par 74 alongside Scotland’s Russell Knox while Open champion Francesco Molinari struggled to a 76.

Leading scores (Gbr & Irl unless stated, par 72):

64 Patrick Reed (USA)

66 Tony Finau (USA), Xander Schauffele (USA)

67 Matthew Fitzpatrick 68 Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Tha), Tommy Fleetwood, Cheng-Tsung Pan (Tai), Billy Horschel (USA), Rafael Cabrera-Bello (Spa)

69 Keegan Bradley (USA), Matt Wallace, Justin Rose, Adam Scott (Aus), Ian Poulter, George Coetzee (Rsa).

Picture: Getty. Patrick Reed overcame breezy conditions to go into a twoshot lead in Shanghai.