Newcomer Matthew Baldwin shot a scorching seven-under-par 65 to take the opening round lead in the Volvo China Open at Binhai Lake Golf Club in Tianjin on Thursday.
Although a rookie on the European Tour, the Englishman showed no signs of inexperience as he nailed seven birdies on the first round of the $3 million event. The day’s play gave him a one stroke lead over former winner Scott Strange from Australia, Dutchman Joost Luiten, South African Jbe Kruger, Gary Boyd from England, Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Gonnet and Fredrik Andersson Hed from Sweden.
Defending champion Nicolas Colsaerts from Belgium shot a 68 along with Englishman Paul Casey, while Ian Poulter, the top-ranked player in the field, shot a 71. China’s Zhang Lianwei, who won this event in 2003, and Wu Ashun lead the mainland challenge after carding 69s in an event, OneAsia, which is jointly sanctioning the event with the European Tour, said in a statement.
Reigning OneAsia Order of Merit champion Andre Stolz from Australia finished on the same score. Calm conditions meant scoring was lower than expected on a potentially demanding layout which bears a striking resemblance to a seaside links course.
Measuring a lengthy 7,667 yards, it is the longest in Volvo China Open history — although the tees were in a more forward position on Thursday. Baldwin easily got the better of the course to bounce back with a vengeance after missing the cut in last week’s Malaysian Open. He triumphed on the Challenge Tour last year and finished in 10th place on the Order of Merit to secure his European Tour card. “It was very good today so I am happy with that,” said Baldwin. “The conditions were a lot calmer today than when we played the practice round the other day.”