Strong start pleases Levy in China

Alexander Levy says he feels in great shape after taking a share of the lead at the Shenzhen International after round one.

Levy, who is a two-time European Tour winner, was able to stay focused on a weather-affected day and make four birdies and an eagle to sign for a six-under-par 66.

The Frenchman certainly likes the Genzon Golf Club, having won his maiden title at the same venue back in 2014, and he is right in contention to triumph for a second time in China.

He is joined on -6 by South Korea’s Soomin Lee, who is continuing his impressive start to 2016 after already recording three top-10 finishes at the Maybank Championship, Bashundhara Bangladesh Open and Leopalace21 Myanmar Open.

The leading duo have opened up a one-shot advantage from Brandon Stone in second although the South African still has one hole left to complete after bad light stopped play.

Ryder Cup hopeful Levy is hoping to continue his rich vein of form on Friday and enjoy himself on a course that has been very profitable.

“It’s always nice to shoot under par,” he said. “I just played great today, and I played well last week and a few bad rounds with the wind. I feel my game is in a good way.

“It’s nice because you have some big memories and, for me, it’s really nice to play on this place.”

Irishman Paul Dunne is in a five-way tie for fourth on -4 alongside Spain’s Eduardo de la Riva, French duo Gary Stal and Raphael Jacquelin, and Dutch ace Joost Luiten.

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