Hong Kong's Justin Evans deftly handled some difficult playing conditions yesterday to take a share of the lead in the Volvo China Open qualifying tournament at Discovery Bay Golf Club.
The top four competitors will get the chance to take on the big boys in the main event this year to be held at the Beijing International Golf Course from April 16-19.
A composed round of one-under 71 saw Evans sharing the lead with Taiwan's Chan Shih-chang. Four other Taiwanese golfers, Chang Hong-wei, Chen Chia-chu, Hung Chien-yao and Chen Ming-chuan, were a shot further back.
Hong Kong amateur Liu Lok-tin also remained within striking distance after carding a 73 to be just two shots off the pace, but Evans was in the driving seat after hitting a massive 320-yard tee shot at the 18th on his way to a birdie.
'It went fine today. I started off well and I was two under after four holes, playing very solidly and consistently,' Evans, 26, said.
'I had a couple of mistakes on the back nine but overall I was able to hold it all together and I have to be satisfied with how I finished up. No one was going to shoot four or five under in these conditions. Anything around par is good today.'
Swirling winds kept the scores low for the most part, while the par-five 12th hole proved a problem for Evans and most of the other competitors.