American Eric Mina holds a one-stroke lead after making a strong start at the China Masters on Thursday, while Australian Gareth Paddison is well in contention. Bad light and strong winds wreaked havoc with competitors but Mina managed to card a round of 68 to sit four-under par at the close of play on day one at the Nanshan International Golf Course. The 25-year-old sunk six birdies in his first round, with his only blemish a double-bogey on the 16th hole. Paddison, Lucas Lee of Brazil and Korea&aposs Ted Oh are just one shot off the pace heading into Friday&aposs second round. Having missed the cut at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship a fortnight ago, Paddison was determined to make a statement and he did with a three-under-par 69 display. “I played really good lots of really good iron shots,” Paddison said. “I had numerous chances out there and it could have been a few better. Holing the putts when it mattered was also a key.” Counterpart Scott Laycott was in a three-way tie for fifth at the end of day one, two strokes off the pace. As for Terry Pilkadaris and Ryan Haller, they are locked at one-under alongside Charl Schwartzel, Garrett Sapp, Xin-jun Zhang, Mark Brown and Gyoung-yoon Yu. Fellow Aussies Scott Strange and Jason Norris ended the day in 15th position at even par, while countrymen Andrew Kelly, Chris Campbell, Stephen Dartnall, Rhein Gibson, Peter Wilson are all two over for the tournament but in the top-26.
Author: Omnisport