Lawrie five behind in Hong Kong

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PERFECT POISE: Nick Faldo plays a shot on the 14th hole during today’s first round of the UBS Hong Kong Open.

PAUL LAWRIE carded a one-under-par 69 in the first round of the UBS Hong Kong Open today.

The former Open champion had birdies at the fourth and ninth, but a bogey at the par 4 seventh to lie five shots behind early clubhouse leader Liang Wen-chong.

The Chinese No.1, who recorded a six-under-par 64, is bidding to become the first Asian to win the event in a decade.

Starting on the 10th tee Liang, 30, made the ideal start with a birdie before adding another three on the 12th, 13th and 18th to reach the turn at four under.

Wang Ter-chang, who had changed his putter prior to the tournament after drawing inspiration from Phil Mickelson at the Singapore Open last week, finished two shots behind Liang at four under alongside Thailand’s Chawalit Plaphol.

England’s Oliver Fisher carded six birdies against four bogeys to return to the clubhouse at three-under-par.

The 20-year-old is tied for fourth with Australian Marcus Fraser, Swede Jarmo Sandelin and Mikko Ilonen of Finland.

Two-time Major winner John Daly enjoyed a solid round as the American carded a two-under-par 68 and is among a group of eight players tied for eighth.

Playing in his first European Tour event for over a year, Nick Faldo reeled off three birdies from the second but three bogeys and a double bogey on the par-three eighth meant the 51-year-old finished two-over.