Gareth Maybin
Gareth Maybin holds second place in the clubhouse on Thursday at the Volvo China Open in Chengdu after reaching the turn in three under par, the Ballyclare golfer carded an eagle three on the 10th hole, adding two more birdies on his way to the 18th.
Han Chang-won established the first round pace at the Luxehills course with an eight under par 64.
The Korean former Asian Amateur Champion led by one in the clubhouse from Maybin with New Zealand’s Steve Alker, Korean Choi Jin-ho, Jeev Milkha Singh and Dutchman Joost Luiten were all tied third on six under.
Starting at the tenth, 19 year old Han had two birdies on the way out, before adding further gains on the first and fourth.
But it was a run of four straight birdies over the closing stretch that brought him home in 30 and propelled him to the top of the leaderboard.
“It’s very good weather and I got a bit lucky today,” said Han, for whom this is a first campaign in the professional ranks. “I missed a few easy shots but most to 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.
“Luxehills is a good course and I really like it. The greens and fairways are in good condition and we have good weather. When I played in Masters in America the conditions were like this.
“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!
“I look up to both K J Choi and Y E Yang. I always think about them and would like to win like them.”
Maybin has been a runner-up on The European Tour three times but is still seeking a first victory.
Like Han he was bogey free at Luxehills International Country Club, mixing five birdies with an eagle at the par five first.
“I putted really nicely today but didn’t actually play that great,” he said. “You can get away with quite a bit out here. I was a little fortunate to say the least.
“I drove it poorly but luckily my wedges and putting were very good so I got away with it a little bit. The short game saved me a bit today - I putted great.
“Anytime you shoot 65 you’ve got to be happy. I’ll take a lot from that. I need to knuckle down and play well again tomorrow. I’ve been playing pretty poorly so to shoot 65 is pretty good. I’m not thinking about winning, or top ten or making the cut.”
New Zealander Michael Campbell also continued his recent improvement with a five under par 67.
The former US Open Champion made only four cuts in two years after a string of injury woes.
