Huang Sets Pace at Shenzhen International


China's Huang Wen-yi fired a 6-under 66 to take the opening-round lead in the Shenzhen International. The European Tour event started Thursday at Genzon Golf Club in Shenzhen, China.

The 34-year-old Huang, a former laborer from China who didn't start playing golf until the age of 22, posted eight birdies and two bogeys for a one-stroke lead over Chile's Felipe Aguilar, Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Korea's Byeong Hun An and America's Peter Uihlein.

"Last year I played very bad," Huang told the European Tour's website. "This year I have changed my swing and yesterday I changed the driver and I like the new driver. I like the course; the green speed is very good."

Aguilar was also satisfied with his outing. "I hit the ball quite well today," said the two-time European Tour winner. "I didn't drop any shots, which is always good on this course. You are going to miss a couple of shots out here - I did, but I had a pretty good recovery after that so I'm pleased."

Former U.S. Amateur champion Uihlein carded two birdies and a pair of bogeys on the front nine. But he had six birdies - including three in a row on the last three holes - from Nos. 9-18. "Nice three in a row and four of the last five," the native of Massachusetts said. "I'm definitely pleased.

"I played Thailand, and had to withdraw with food poisoning, then played one in Puerto Rico, and then I had a wrist injury and had to take some time off. Then I switched coaches, so I've had a strange six weeks or so. I feel like I did a lot of things really, really well and I felt like I did some of my old habits and hit a couple squirrelers, but I'm pleased with 5-under, for sure."

Also in the tournament is two-time Masters' champion Bubba Watson, who opened with a 70.

For all the scores, visit http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015028/leaderboard/index.html.