McIlroy's 64 sets standard in Hong Kong

Golf: Rory McIlroy led set the bar at six-under-par in the first round of the Hong Kong Open but was matched later in the day by Spain's Alvaro Quiros and England's David Horsey. The 22-year-old picked up six birdies and did not drop a shot in his opening 64 to post the clubhouse lead at Hong Kong Golf Club.

Miguel Angel Jimenez is a danger on five unde, while compatriot Gareth Maybin finished two shots adrift, alongside Australian Darren Beck, after birdies at the 11th, 12th, 15th and 16th on his first nine holes.

Starting on the 10th, McIlroy picked up birdies at the 14th and 16th courtesy of holing mid-range putts to reach the turn in 33 before a sand wedge to inside three feet at the first brought another.

McIlroy moved to four under at the next and although his drive from the fifth tee found the bunker, a superb recovery allowed him to knock in a short putt for his fifth birdie of the day before adding his sixth at the next.

"It was very good, a solid round of golf, I didn't make a mistake," he said. "Six birdies and no bogeys is always a nice way to start the tournament.

"I played very solid from the first hole, hit two good shots into the 10th and made a good par there, which was probably the toughest hole we played all day.

"I just gave myself a lot of chances - I think I hit 17 greens and a lot of fairways - and I was able to take a few, which was nice."

Meanwhile, defending champion Ian Poulter, playing alongside McIlroy, opened with a one-over 71 as the Englishman carded two bogeys and a birdie.

"It was a tricky day, windy," said Poulter. "Scoring wasn't going to be anywhere near as good. Obviously I'm disappointed, I actually played quite nicely and didn't hole a putt out there. I've got work to do tomorrow, this golf course will play tougher.

"When you get a wind in the direction it was today, which is not a prevailing wind, it makes the course tricky. There's some golf to play."

Peter Lawrie is next best of the Irish after a 69 left him one under, ahead of Pádraig Harrington (70) by the slimmest of margins.

Damien McGrane and Michael Hoey, however, were seven and eight under respectively.