Dredge fired a 5-under-par 67 Thursday to tie the Singapore-based Park in the first of the season's joint-sanctioned events between the European Tour and the Asian Tour.

Jason Dawes, Stephen Dodd, Amandeep Johl, Barry Lane and rookies Marc Cayeux and Matthew King each carded a 68. Cayeux and King took advantage of their finish in the top 15 on the 2004 Challenge Tour rankings.

Dredge, who played in last week's WGC-World Cup in Spain and finished 60th on the 2004 Volvo Order of Merit, recorded five birdies along with an eagle at the 14th to counter his dropped shots at the 11th and 17th. Dredge is seeking his second career win - the first coming in the 2003 Madeira Island Open.

"I've heard from some of the guys that they are struggling with jet lag, but I've slept really well since arriving late [on Tuesday night from Spain]," Dredge said. "I played quite nicely on the back nine."

Dredge had a great run on the inward half, holing a 20-footer on the 13th, chipping in for eagle at the next hole before rolling in a 15-footer on the 15th. He dropped a shot on the short 17th but birdied the last after nearly chipping in again for eagle.

Park, who finished third in the event last year, carded five birdies in his first 10 holes. He recently underwent laser surgery and his all-round game Thursday was as sharp as his vision.

"I drove really well and hit my irons nicely," Park said. "When I was 5-under, I missed a few short putts. It was one of those days where you play well but don't feel happy. I left about four shots out there on the back nine."

Defending champion Lian-Wei Zhang of China enjoyed a strong start with a 69 as he successfully blocked out the pain of an injured hip. He had a jittery start with bogeys on the second and third before charging back with a strong back nine of 32.