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Richard T. Lee slips, but An Byeong-hun picks up the slack in Shanghai

November 6, 2015
an byeong 1

An Byeong-hun

SHANGHAI (AP) — Rory McIlroy finally climbed out of bed 10 pounds lighter from a bout of food poisoning and shot 68. Jordan Spieth returned from his longest break without touching his golf clubs and also had a 68. Both felt good about their start Thursday in the HSBC Champions.

It just wasn’t enough to be anywhere near the lead.

Branden Grace of South Africa, a month removed from his sterling performance in the Presidents Cup, birdied half of the holes at soft, vulnerable Sheshan International for a 9-under 63. It was the lowest opening round in the 11-year history of the World Golf Championship event

Kevin Kisner made his debut in China by playing bogey-free for a 64. He was joined by Steven Bowditch of Australia and Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark, who opened with five birdies in six holes and was 7 under through 10 holes. It was enough to make Olesen wonder how low he could go, though that ended when he made a sloppy bogey on the par-5 14th and he had to settle for a 64.

Dustin Johnson, the winner the last time he was here two years ago, drilled a 3-wood over the water and onto the green at the par-5 second hole and made an eagle to join Patrick Reed and Danny Willett at 65.

Korean Canadian Richard T. Lee fell 11 spots to be tied for 27th as he settled for an even par round, but An Byeong-hun fired 4-under to jump up 22 slots to be tied for 9th at 7-under 137.