Rory McIlroy has put himself in contention after the first round at the WGC Sheshan International Golf Championships in Shanghai.

Home favourite Haotong Li holds a lead of one from France's Victor Perez after an opening round 66.

Former world number one McIlroy was in a share of seventh after saying on Wednesday he wanted to end a four-year wait for a World Golf Championships victory.

McIlroy finished strongly with five birdies in his last nine holes, including four in a row from his 11th (hole 2) to 14th.

Open champion Shane Lowry finished on level par thanks to a birdie on the 18th after slipping to two over by the 10th.

An inconsistent back nine featuring three bogeys and three birdies left him five under (67), three off the lead.

South Korea's Sungjae Im and Australian Adam Scott were alongside Matthew Fitzpatrick in third.

South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen provided the highlight of the first round with a hole in one at the sixth on his way to 10 under and a share of 10th.