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Lorenzo-Vera leads after round one of China Open

17/04/2008

France's Michael Lorenzo-Vera has carded a five-under-par round of 67 to take an early lead in the China Open in Beijing.

With many of the European Tour's top players taking a week's rest following the US Masters, Lorenzo-Vera – who is 123rd in the Order of Merit standings – enjoyed a six-birdie round on the first day.

His only bogey of the day came at the par-four first hole but he recovered to head the leaderboard in the clubhouse.

Englishmen Richard Finch, Zane Scotland and Simon Griffiths are all part of a seven-player group tied for second after four-under-par first rounds.

Ireland's Damien McGrane is in the same group and still in contention with the leaders, while two other Englishmen - Miles Tunnicliff and John Bickerton – are tied for 12th on two under par.

Ross Fisher - 12th in the Order of Merit - endured a difficult day, as a two-over-par round put him in danger of missing the cut.

The same is true of Graeme McDowell, who is 5th in the European Tour standings, but whose disappointing one-over-par round of 73 puts him in a tie for 42nd in the tournament overall.