Golf-Local favourite Li earns one-shot lead at HSBC Champions

Local favorite Li Haotong rode a wave of home support to grab the first-round lead at the WGC-HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai on Thursday. Li, one of seven players Chinese in the field, carded an eight-under-par 64, capping off his day by sinking a 12-foot par-saving putt at his final hole as the gallery roared in approval at Sheshan International.

He holds a one-shot advantage over Frenchman Victor Perez, while American defending champion Xander Schauffele was among a group two behind in the World Golf Championships event. Rory McIlroy recovered from a bogey at his first hole to shoot 67.