Teenager Han hopes to turn fine start into fat cheque

Han shot an eight-under-par 64 at the Luxehill International Country Club in Chengdu on day one to lead a five-man group by one.

The South Korean started at the 10th and opened with two birdies and picked up further shots on the first and fourth.

He then secured four successive birdies down the stretch to come home in 30 and leap up the leaderboard.

Among those a shot further back are England’s James Morrison, Ulsterman Gareth Maybin, Wales’ Bradley Dredge and Dane Soren Kjeldsen. Keith Horne of South Africa was also seven under but with four to play after bad light prevented him finishing.

Han, 19, is in his maiden professional campaign and seems to be handling it well.

“It’s very good weather and I got a bit lucky,” he admitted. “I missed a few easy shots but most of the time I was perfect and hit the fairways and got close to the pins.

“I felt comfortable going into those last four holes which I birdied. I didn’t really feel any pressure and it was a good finish.

“I’ve been playing golf for nine years. I’ve only been professional from this year. I play for the national team.

“I’ve not made much money yet as a professional so it would be nice to get some this week.”

Former US Open champion Michael Campbell was three off the lead following a five-under 67.

The Kiwi, who has struggled in the last two years with injury, has put a run together recently having previously made only four cuts in two years.

Campbell, who finished 35th in Malaysia recently, said: “Every week seems to be getting better for me. I didn’t finish it off last week in Malaysia but (yesterday) I played great from tee to green and putted better.

“You ask any athlete – confidence is not something you can buy from the corner store. You have to earn it.”

Sergio Garcia was solid throughout with a bogey-free six-under 66 to be among a group sharing seventh, with Scotland’s Richie Ramsay joining him.

Defending champion YE Yang is four off the lead.

Harrogate’s John Parry led an impressive start for Yorkshire’s competing quartet with a 67, two better than Malton’s Simon Dyson and Hull’s Richard Finch. Sheffield’s Danny Willett shot 70.