FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD: -8 N Watney (US) -6 M Kaymer (Ger), R Moore (US), S Lowry (Ire) -5 T Woods (US), A Kim (US), P Casey (Eng), W tang-Lin (Tpe) Selected others: -3 P Mickelson (US) -2 R Fisher (Eng), L Westwood (Eng), E Els (SA)
American Watney holds a two-shot lead in Shanghai
American Nick Watney set the early pace at the HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai, tying the course record with an eight-under-par first-round 64.
Watney started well, hitting three birdies and one eagle in the first six holes, dropping just one shot overall.
It left him two clear of American Ryan Moore, Germany's Martin Kaymer and Ireland's Shane Lowry.
American Tiger Woods closed on five under along with Englishman Paul Casey, Anthony Kim and Lin Wen-tang.
Woods's fellow American Phil Mickelson ended on three under, while English duo Ross Fisher and Lee Westwood finished their first round in China on two under along with South African Ernie Els.
"The greens were so good," said 28-year-old Watney after his round. "Whenever you hit your putt on line it was going in."
He added: "Since this was only the first day I was not remotely jumpy. I just tried to focus on the next two holes because there's trouble out there."
Watney only missed out on setting a new course record with a bogey on the 18th, but still was pleased with his round.
"I played very well, it was just one of those days when everything was feeling really good," he said.
Woods was watched by a boisterous crowd of well over a 1,000 spectators and at times seemed put off by photographers on the course and in the gallery.
He battled through his round, despite later admitting he feels at a disadvantage because of the crowds he attracts, to end just three shots off the lead.
"There were certainly a lot of people out there and a lot of people moving," Woods told BBC Radio 5 live.
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