American Jordan Gumberg birdied the final five holes of his first round to lead the Hainan Classic by one stroke from Spain's Jorge Campillo.
Gumberg played the back nine first in 33 on the Blackstone Course at Mission Hills and after his fourth birdie, at the third, was cancelled out by his only dropped shot of the day at the next, he finished in style and said: "I just got the putter rolling. I didn’t really realise it was five in a row but it was nice to see it on the card for sure."
Campillo had eight birdies and a solitary bogey in his 65 on the venue’s Vintage Course, while home favourite Wenyi Ding was in a five-way tie for third after a 66 featuring two eagles.
Scotland’s Calum Hill led the British challenge at four under, helped by three birdies in a row from the third.
