On-form Levy flying high in Shanghai
FRANCE’S Alexander Levy made the ideal start to his bid for a third European Tour title of the season – and second in China – in the BMW Masters in Shanghai yesterday.
Levy, who won the Volvo China Open in April and the rain-shortened Portugal Masters three weeks ago, carded a flawless opening 65 at a damp Lake Malaren to finish seven under par, one shot ahead of compatriot Romain Wattel, Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts and Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo.
Starting from the tenth, Levy birdied his first four holes and picked up another shot at the par-3 17th to reach the turn in 31, before recording further birdies at the second and ninth.
“I think this country likes me,” joked the 24-year-old. “For me, this golf course is pretty much the same as the one where I won in Shenzhen.”
Levy is a close friend of both Wattel – whose flawless 66 was achieved despite cracking the face of his driver during the round – and Ryder Cup player Victor Dubuisson, who returned a two-under-par 70 and is helping inspire the new generation of French players.
Graeme McDowell, who won the French Open at Le Golf National earlier this season, was two shots behind Levy after a 67 in the first event of the Tour’s Final Series.
McDowell’s Ryder Cup teammates Thomas Bjorn and Jamie Donaldson were among a sixstrong group on four under par, which also featured Oliver Wilson.
Richie Ramsay and Marc Warren were top Scots after twounder par rounds of 70, while Stephen Gallacher returned a 72. Justin Rose also signed for a level-par 72 after recovering from being four over par after his first four holes. Ian Poulter struggled to a two-over-par 74. l Sweden’s Rikard Karlberg carded a flawless 65 to claim a two-shot lead after the first round of the CIMB Classic in Malaysia.
England’s
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