Stars have field day with blitz of birdies in HSBC Champions at Sheshan in Shanghai
South Africa's Brandon Grace leads by one shot as soft course sees many players - including China's Li Haotong, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Speith and more - in the hunt
Rory McIlroy finally climbed out of bed 10 pounds lighter from a bout of food poisoning and made six birdies for a 68.
Jordan Spieth returned from his longest break without touching his golf clubs. He had six birdies in a round of 68. Both felt good about their start yesterday in the HSBC Champions.
It just was not enough to be anywhere near the lead.
Barely had a breath of wind out there and the golf course is playing probably as easy as it could be
Branden Grace of South Africa, a month since his sterling performance in the Presidents Cup, made birdie on half of his holes at soft, vulnerable Sheshan International for a nine-under 63. It was the lowest opening round in the 11-year history of this World Golf Championship.
And all that got him was a one-shot lead.
"Today was phenomenal out there," Grace said. "Barely had a breath of wind out there and the golf course is playing probably as easy as it could be playing. There's some low scores out there. The guys are playing some great golf, and when you play on greens like this, it helps. You just have to get the ball on the right line and it goes in. It was fun."
He made it sound simple, and the numbers backed him up.