|
The pair held a one-stroke lead over Thailand's
Gunn Charoenkul and South Korean Jang Yu-bin, who helped his
nation claim golfing gold in the team event at the recent Asian
Games in Hangzhou, China.
Coming off a break after the LIV event in Saudi Arabia last
month, British Open winner Smith returned to action with eight
birdies and a solitary bogey on the par-five third.
"Played really solid," said the mullet-coiffed 30-year-old.
"It was tricky out there today as well, gusty.
"It's a cool track, it's one of my favorites," he added of the
golf club's composite course.
"Hopefully we don't get any rain."
Chacarra, who played golf for Oklahoma State University before
dropping out to earn millions on the Saudi-backed LIV circuit,
teed off soon after sun-rise and held the clubhouse lead after
his bogey-free round of seven birdies.
Masters winner Patrick Reed was four shots off the lead on
three-under, the American recovering from dropped shots at the
third and fifth in his round of 67.
Ireland's Graeme McDowell, another major winner, was also on
three-under after a bogey-free day tempered by frustration on
the greens.
The Hong Kong Open returned to the Asian Tour schedule this year
after last being played in 2020.
Australian Wade Ormsby, the event's last champion and a two-time
winner, shot an even-par 70 to be seven behind the leaders.
(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Simon
Cameron-Moore)
[© 2023 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |
|
