Ben Evans stole the show from tournament host Nick Faldo yesterday by firing a five-under-par 65 in the first round of the inaugural Faldo Series International Trophy at Hong Kong Golf Club.
While Faldo, winner of six Major crowns in his heyday, was relaxing after a long flight from London before giving a clinic in the evening for fans, the 18-year-old from Sussex bagged an eagle and three birdies to go five under after just six holes on Fanling's Eden Course.
'I was a bit surprised as I hadn't played in a competition in three months,' said the English youngster, who added birdies on the eighth and 16th holes but stuttered with a double-bogey on the last.
'It was a pity about the last hole, but I am hoping for another 65 tomorrow,' said Evans while watching Faldo entertain the crowd at the Oriental Golf City Driving Range on the old Kai Tak airport runway.
Evans led the under-21 boys' category of Faldo's tournament, which is being staged in conjunction with the Hong Kong Golf Association, the Royal and Ancient and the European Tour.
Best of the local hopefuls was 16-year-old Sha Tin schoolboy Jimmy Ko in fourth spot with a 74 in the under-18 boys' category, while Eva Yoe, 19, was fifth in the under-21 girls' category after an 89 and 13-year-old Demi Mak eighth in the under-18 girls' category with an 84.