Grace out in front

South African Branden Grace set the pace during the opening round of the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai as he hit a bogey-free 63.

The 27-year-old came into the tournament sixth in the Race to Dubai rankings but improved his chances of winning after a superb round.

He posted nine birdies at Sheshan International and is currently one shot clear of Kevin Kisner and Steven Bowditch.

Grace reached the turn in 31 but claimed after his round that he could have shot lower.

“From the start I started hitting the ball nicely and missed a couple of short putts which was costly,” he said. “It could have been lower, but I made a couple nice ones that cancelled the others out.

“The ball-striking was probably the best it’s been in a long time, so that was the main key today. There’s some low scores out there.”

Bowditch and Kisner are in a tie for second with England’s Danny Willet and Thorbjorn Olsen who managed to birdie five of his first six holes.

World number two Jordan Spieth is hoping to reclaim top spot in the world rankings but he will need to kick on after finishing day one five off the lead, with Rory McIlroy also carding a four-under par 68.

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