Ireland’s Stephen Browne hit an impressive opening round of 65 to begin his challenge in the TCL Classic but was still three shots off the lead after a morning of low scoring at the Yalong Bay Golf Club.
Asian Tour regular Edward Loar set a new course record with a round of 62 to lead by one from South Africa’s Warren Abery, with Browne a further two shots back in a group of four players on seven under par.
Defending champion Paul Casey - who defeated Paul McGinley in a play-off to win the title last year — is alongside Brown on on seven-under and the pair are joined by South African Charl Schwartzel and Ariel Canete of Argentina as the kind early-morning conditions gave up a series of low scores.
The round of the morning belonged to Loar, who recorded nine birdies, an eagle and just one bogey to reduce the course record by a shot.
South African Abery had already equalled the old record with his round of 63, which made him the early tournament leader, but Texan Loar went one better. The American’s round started with a birdie at the 10th and an eagle at the 13th moved his score onto three under par after just four holes.
A birdie at the next was followed by a dropped shot at the 15th, although Loar immediately claimed that shot back at the next hole. Another birdie at the 18th left him five under at the turn.
Loar remained consistent on the next nine holes, picking up shots at the first and second as well as another pair of birdies at the fourth and fifth holes before closing with four pars to finish off his record-breaking round.
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