Li in chase for his first European Tour victory

China's Li Haotong showed the world what he is capable of on Thursday when he fired a 1-under 71, with three birdies and two bogeys, to get him off to a solid start at the Volvo China Open at the Shanghai Pudong Tomson Golf Club.

"I wasn't expecting anything when teeing off and just wanted to aim for pars most times," said Li, the highest-ranked player in China.

"I didn't have many birdie chances today. The greens here this week are much different from last week (in Shenzhen when he lost the title in a playoff). I had two terrible chip shots today; always landed short of the pin and left eight or nine-yard long putts. That's why I missed many opportunities. Hopefully I will get used to the greens as soon as I can and great ready for the remaining rounds."