Garcia leads in Shanghai

Sergio Garcia fired a brilliant 64 to take a one-shot lead after the opening day of the BMW Masters in Shanghai.

The Spaniard carded nine birdies and just a single bogey at Lake Malaren to reach eight-under, as he looks to claim his first title of the year.

Byeong Hun An and Victor Dubuisson share second after matching 65s, while Ross Fisher and Lucas Bjerregaard are two off the pace on six-under.

Paul Casey, Justin Rose and Thongchai Jaidee are a further stroke back, but Danny Willett’s plans of putting further pressure on the absent Rory McIlroy in the Race to Dubai got off to a slow start, as he could only manage a level-par 72.

It is Garcia who is in charge and the 35-year-old admits he was pleased by how he played on Thursday, but says there is still a long way to go.

“I obviously played nicely,” Garcia said. “Conditions were quite good, not much wind. A little bit of a drizzle, but other than that it was good.

“I drove the ball very well and that gave me a lot of opportunities to hit some good iron shots.

“It’s the kind of round that you are looking for and hopefully I keep improving as the week goes on and we’ll be out there on Sundayhaving a chance.”

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