SHANGHAI – South Africa’s Branden Grace took advantage of soft conditions and solid ballstriking, shooting a 9-under 63 to take a one-shot lead after Thursday’s first round of the WGC-HSBC Champions.
Australian Steven Bowditch, Dane Thorbjorn Olesen and American Kevin Kisner are second at 64. Americans Dustin Johnson and Patrick Reed share fifth with England’s Danny Willett at 65. Forty of the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking are entered in the $8.5 million event. No. 2 Jordan Spieth (68) shares 16th place with fellow Americans Bubba Watson and Rickie Fowler, ranked fourth and fifth, respectively, No.