Lu Wen-teh shares lead at TCL Classic in China

Lu Wen-teh (呂文德) of Taiwan and New Zealander Richard Lee each shot 7-under 65 yesterday to share the early first-round lead at the TCL Classic. English Ryder Cup player Lee Westwood was one stroke back after a 66.

Lu and Lee both carded seven birdies in their rounds and didn't drop a shot around the Yalong Bay Golf Club on China's Hainan Island.

Westwood managed six birdies and an eagle, but dropped two shots. Liang Wenchong (梁文沖) of China, who won his first major tournament last weekend at the Singapore Masters, opened with a 69 and was among the early starters.

Liang defeated Malaysia's Iain Steel on Sunday on the first playoff hole at the Singapore Masters, then promised to donate his winnings of US$183,330 to help develop golf in China.

The TCL Classic, played at the Yalong Bay Golf Club, in one of three in the next month being played in China. Shanghai is host to two tournaments next month -- the Volvo China Open and the BMW Asian Open. All three are sanctioned by both the Asian and European tours.