Rory McIlroy posted a score of 7 early on Thursday at the UBS Hong Kong Open - after a round of 63 at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling - to trail Mark Brown of New Zealand by one stroke at the end of day one.
An eight under par 62 from Mark Brown propelled the New Zealander into the first round with the 35 year old now bidding for a second win on The European Tour after claiming the 2008 Johnnie Walker Classic.
India's Jeev Milkha Singh shares second with McIlory.
Starting on the tenth, Brown picked up birdies in four of his first six holes before picking up another shot on the par four 18th to make the turn in five under and continued his charge with three successive gains from the second before making par in his remaining holes to ensure he takes a slender advantage into the second round.
"I have a good mate on the bag this week," said Brown.
"I grew up with him at my home course in New Zealand and it has sort of got me back to a few of the things I used to do when I was younger swing-wise. It seems to be working so I will stick with those things."
McIlroy had teed off in the morning and set the early pace with eight birdies against just one bogey and is looking to win the UBS Hong Kong Open at the third time of asking having narrowly missed out in 2008 and 2009.
McIlroy's only blemish came on the par four sixth when he sent hit his tee shot into the trees, requiring him to play it out left-handed.
"It is a great start to the tournament obviously. Going out and shooting a good first round is a great start," he said.
"You always feel you can do better. I let one go on the sixth, which was my only bogey of the day."
England's Simon Dyson shot the first hole-in-one of the tournament on his way to a six under 64 that puts him in a tie for fourth alongside Denmark's Søren Hansen. The 32 year old from York hit his tee shot on the par three, 144 yard 12th to within two feet of the pin before the ball rolled into the hole.
"I couldn't have asked for a better start," said Dyson. "The course is excellent and the weather even better."
Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell is three shots off the pace after carding a five under 65 to sit alongside English duo Oliver Wilson and Kenneth Ferrie, Rhys Davies of Wales and Korean Nam Young in sixth place.
Damien McGrane is also five under in a share of sixth place.
Defending champion Grégory Bourdy finished the day four under.
Gareth Maybin finished 3 under par after carding a round of 67 and is currently in a share of 13th place.
Shane Lowry signed for a 68 to finish 2 under along with Michael Hoey.
Paul McGinley is one under after signing for a 69.
Peter Lawrie is level after the opening round after carding a 70.
Darren Clarke is two over par following a round of 72.
Ian Poulter signed for a 67 and John Daly finished day one with a 69.
