Brier sets the pace at Volvo China Open

Markus Brier fired a five under par first round of 67 to take the lead at the Volvo China Open at Beijing CBD International Golf Club yesterday.

The 40-year-old, who won this event in Shanghai in 2007, made an excellent start with birdies at the opening two holes - the tenth and 11th - and overcame a bogey at the par three 12th with another birdie at the 13th before picking up a shot at the 15th to swiftly move to three under.

The Austrian then charged to the top of the leaderboard with three consecutive birdies at the second, third and fourth only to three-putt the ninth and end his opening effort with a one-shot lead over Nick Dougherty and David McKenzie.