Koepka takes early HSBC lead

SHANGHAI» U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka turned a sure birdie into a bogey and then turned a certain bogey into an unlikely birdie. It added to an 8under-par 64 and a one-shot lead Thursday after the opening round of the HSBC Champions.

“Any time you can get off to a good start and be close to the lead or have the lead, that’s what you want,” Koepka said.

He had a one-shot lead over Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand, who dressed in black in honor of the five-day funeral that began at home for King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Gavin Green also opened with a 7-under 65.

Matt Kuchar and Justin Rose were in the group at 5-under 67, while Dustin Johnson and Henrik Stenson were among those at 4under 68. Johnson, who won this World Golf Championship event in 2013, was moving closer to the lead until his wedge into No. 8 went just over the green, his chip ran 6 feet by and he took a bogey. It was on this hole two years ago that Johnson’s shot hit the pin and caromed back into the water, which he says is the most irritated he’s ever been on the golf course.

Defending champion Hideki Matsuyama opened with a 74.

• Andrew Landry and J.J. Spaun were among five players who shot a 6-under 66 to share the lead after the opening round of the Sanderson Farms Championship in Jackson, Miss.

• Lydia Ko shot a 7-under 64, one of her lowest rounds of the year, and took a one-shot lead over Su Oh at the LPGA Tour’s Sime Darby event in Malaysia. Former No. 1-ranked Ko, who has yet to win this year, was two shots ahead of defending champion and two-time winner Feng Shanshan.