Shenzhen, China, May 2: American David Lipsky together with Spain’s Jorge Campillo and Finland’s Tapio Pulkkanen took charge of the first round by carding matching seven-under-par 65s to set the early pace at the Volvo China Open on Thursday.

Coming off a fifth place finish in Morocco last week, Lipsky, the 2014 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, continued his good form at the Genzon Golf Club by marking his card with eight birdies and one bogey for a slender one-advantage over compatriot John Catlin as well as China’s Wu Ashun and Jin Daxing.

Catlin, who was one of the breakout stars on the Asian Tour in 2018, enjoyed a bogey-free round 66 to start promisingly at the Volvo China Open, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

Jin and Wu delighted the home crowd when they emerged as the highest placed Chinese after day one when they both traded seven birdies against one bogey to stay in the title hunt.

Blessed with a clean bill of health now, Philippines’ Miguel Tabuena fought his way back from a back injury by signing for a 65 to be bunched in tied-sixth place which was also included Malaysia’s Gavin Green and China’s Li Haotong.

Sweden’s Alexander Bjork of Sweden opened his title defence of the Volvo China Open by posting a 70 to trail the leaders by five shots in a share of 46th place.

Did you know?

• David Lipsky signaled his arrival on the Asian Tour by winning the 2012 Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage. He subsequently went on to win the HANDA FALDO Cambodian Classic with a play-off victory over Filipino Elmer Salvador, chipping in for birdie in the first extra hole.
• He became the first Asian Tour member to win the Omega European Masters in Switzerland after defeating Graeme Storm on the first play-off hole in 2014.
• He also enjoyed four other top-10s including a second-place finish at The Championship in Singapore to cap a successful year in 2014 where he was crowned the Asian Tour Order of Merit champion.
• Lipsky’s maiden visit to South Africa last year saw him win the Alfred Dunhill Championship for his second victory outside Asia.
• John Catlin had a breakout season in 2018 when he made his career breakthrough at the Asia-Pacific Classic in May.
• Two months later, Catlin won his second Tour title at the Sarawak Championship in Malaysia and in October, he was victorious yet again at the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship in Chinese Taipei.
• With those victories, Catlin became the 10th golfer in Tour history to win three times in a single season.
• Wu Ashun won the Volvo China Open in 2015 after he pipped England’s David Howell to the title by one shot. He is the first Chinese player to win three times on the European Tour.
• Miguel Tabuena hurt his back while playing in Malaysia in March and was only advised by his doctor to resume practicing only last week.
• He is a two-time Asian Tour winner. He clinched his second Tour title at the Queen’s Cup hosted by Jaidee Foundation last year.
• Tabuena made his breakthrough on home soil in 2015 when he became the first Filipino to win his National Open since 2008 at just 21-years-old.
• Gavin Green claimed his maiden Asian Tour title at the 2017 Mercuries Taiwan Masters, after notching four top-10 results earlier in the year, including three runner-up finishes in India, Chinese Taipei and Korea.
• He became the first Malaysian to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2017

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