Course record for Nirat

TCL Classic:England's Lee Westwood made a solid start to the TCL Classic in Hainan but heads into the second round at the Yalong Bay Golf Club five shots adrift of overnight leader Chapchai Nirat.

Thailand's Nirat, who missed the cut at last week's Singapore Open, produced a stunning course record 11-under-par 61 despite course officials toughening up the picturesque course with the addition of more substantial rough following Johan Edfors' 25-under-par victory total last year.

Nirat holds a three-shot lead over Argentina's Rafael Echenique, while Taiwan's Lu Weh Teh, New Zealand's Richard Lee and South Africa's Keith Horne sit on seven under.

The Irish quartet of Damien McGrane, Michael Hoey, Paul McGinley and David Higgins have work to do if they are to make the halfway cut.

McGrane shot a three-under-par 69, with Hoey a shot back after a 70, while Paul McGinley, the 2005 runner-up, and Higgins are together on level par 72.

England's Oliver Fisher finished tied for 10th on five under, a shot clear of compatriots Simon Griffiths, Sam Little and Barry Lane and Wales' Mark Pilkington.

"I am very happy with the round," said 23-year-old Nirat after shooting the lowest score of his career. "I drove well and I was bogey free.

"I played here last year so I am familiar with the course, which helps when driving and putting. There is a lot more rough this year but I made sure I hit straight."

Westwood, starting on the back nine, made an ideal start with a birdie at the 10th before adding a superb eagle at the 13th.

A bogey at the 15th was quickly cancelled out by a birdie at the next as the 33-year-old reached the turn in 33.

He collected two early birdies on the front nine, at the second and the fourth, before three-putting the fifth. Westwood recovered and carded birdies at the seventh and ninth to come home in 33.

"I played well," he said. "I got off to a good start with a birdie on the first hole. I chipped in on the second which was nice."