GOLF/CHINA OPEN:GARETH MAYBIN maintains he didn't hit the ball particularly well but the numbers told a different story after the Ballyclare native fired a first-round 65 at the China Open to be just one shot off the overnight lead held by South Korean teenager Chang-won Han.
Han returned an eight-under-par 64 at Luxehills International Country Club in Chengdu to claim the clubhouse lead when poor light ended play for the day.
After starting at the 10th, the Korean was four under by the time he stood on the sixth, his 15th, tee.
He was to put the icing on the cake in a flawless round by closing with four consecutive birdies and covered his inward half in 30 strokes to lead by one from Maybin and four others – Bradley Dredge, James Morrison, Keith Horne and Soren Kjeldsen.
The rookie leader will do well not to get distracted by the €350,946 winner’s prize after noting how a top cheque would go some way to helping his flagging bank balance .
“It’s very good weather and I got a bit lucky today,” said the 19-year-old former Asia Amateur champion. “I missed a few easy shots but most of the time I was perfect and hit the fairways and got close to the pins.
“I felt comfortable going into those last four holes which I birdied. I didn’t really feel any pressure and it was a good finish.
“I’ve been playing golf for nine years. I’ve only been professional from this year. I play for the national team. I’ve not made much money yet as a professional so it would be nice to get some this week!”
Han, another teenager to step into the spotlight after Italy’s Matteo Manassero won in Malaysia last week two days before his 18th birthday, said he looks to established compatriots such as KJ Choi and YE Yang as his role models.
“I look up to both KJ Choi and YE Yang. I always think about them and would like to win like them.”
Maybin’s round included an eagle at the first, his 10th, before adding birdies at six and seven. He also birdied the 11th, 13th and 18th to complete a satisfying opening round – at least from a putting and short game point of view.
“I putted really nicely today but didn’t actually play that great. You can get away with quite a bit out here. I was a little fortunate to say the least,” said Maybin, who has been a runner-up on the European Tour three times but is still seeking his maiden victory.
“I drove it poorly but luckily my wedges and putting were very good so I got away with it a little bit. The short game saved me today.
“Anytime you shoot 65 you’ve got to be happy. I’ll take a lot from that. I need to knuckle down and play well again tomorrow. I’ve been playing pretty poorly so to shoot 65 is pretty good.
“I’m not thinking about winning, or top-10 or making the cut,” added the 30-year-old, one of seven Irish players in the field.
Triple major winner Pádraig Harrington didn’t get the fast start he was looking for and had to settle for a 71 to be last of the Irish contingent.
Behind Maybin, Peter Lawrie and Paul McGinley were well-placed after 68s to be on the same mark as this week’s defending champion Yang.
Shane Lowry was a stroke farther back.
Damien McGrane and Michael Hoey were two under after 16 and 14 holes respectively when play ended for the day.
Spain’s Sergio Garcia enjoyed an easy passage with his six birdie round of 66 to be very-much in touch.
Michael Campbell, 2005 US Open champion, was a stroke back on five under. It’s been a welcome return to form in recent weeks for the Kiwi, who has struggled in the last two years with injury and previously made only four cuts in that time.
“Every week seems to be getting better for me,” said Campbell, who finished 35th in Malaysia last week. “I didn’t finish it off last week in Malaysia but today I played great from tee to green and putted better.
“I missed a few short ones coming in but beside that it was a real solid first round. It’s a snowball effect. I’m growing in confidence with each shot, each putt, each chip.
“You ask any athlete – confidence is not something you can buy from the corner store. You have to earn it.”
