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Alvaro Barrientos/AP/Press Association Images
Opening Drive

Maybin launches Chinese challenge while Harrington fails to hit his stride

Gareth Maybin is just one shot off the lead after an opening round 65 at the Volvo China Open.

A BOGEY-FREE opening round of seven-under par was good enough to give Gareth Maybin a share of second place after the first day of the Volvo China Open in Chengdou.

Starting alongside England’s John Parry and Australian Mitchell Brown on the tenth hole at the Luxehill International Country Club, the Ulsterman carded five birdies, capping a wonderful day with an eagle three on the par five first hole after the turn.

Maybin’s total leaves him one shot off the clubhouse lead held by Korean Chang-won Han who finished powerfully with five birdies in his final six holes to end the day on eight-under.

Paul Lawrie also put in a blemish-free round on day one, shooting four birdies to close out a four-under par round of 68.

While Maybin and Lawrie got into the groove, Padraig Harrington once again struggled to find form, opening a disappointing round with a bogey on the par-five tenth hole. Though the Dubliner did redeem himself with birdies at 13, 18 and 1, another blip at the par-three second hole spoiled his revival, leaving him seven shots adrift on a rather uninspiring total of one-under.

Harrington’s fellow countrymen Paul McGinley and Damien McGrane fared only slightly better, finishing the day one stroke better off on two-under.

Graeme McDowell is the only Irish interest as the USPGA tour moves to South Carolina for The Heritage. The Ulsterman will tee off alongside Ernie Els and Ian Poulter at 13:30 Irish time this afternoon.