Major winner Cameron Smith fired a seven-under-par 63 to grab a share of the lead after the first round of the Hong Kong Open on Thursday. The 30-year-old Australian and headline act at the $2 million Asian Tour International Series event topped the leaderboard along with Spain's Eugenio Chacarra.

In hot, overcast and sometimes blustery conditions on the composite course at Fanling, the 2022 British Open champion Smith carded eight birdies against one bogey. Smith, one of the biggest names to jump ship to the lucrative Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour, made birdies in five of his last seven holes but felt that his round could have gone even better.

However, he was content overall and said "it was all really solid stuff". "I missed one or two shorter putts, but these greens are so tricky here," said the mullet-haired Australian, who is chasing a first victory in the southern Chinese city. "Other than that, it's such a cool track, it's so traditional. "You have to think around here. I love it." Smith and the 23-year-old Chacarra were a shot ahead of Jang Yu-bin of South Korea and Thailand's Gunn Charoenkul at the 62nd edition of Asia's oldest professional golf tournament.

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The American Andy Ogletree, who leads the International Series Order of Merit, was prime among a chasing pack two shots off the lead. Major winners Patrick Reed and Graeme McDowell shot matching 67s and a share of 21st place.

American Talor Gooch, who won three LIV events and this year's lucrative points title,&nbsp;carded 68. The Australian Wade Ormsby, who was victorious when the tournament was last played, in 2020, failed to fire with a first-round 70. The Hong Kong Open is back for the first time in three years following an enforced break because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Major winner Cameron Smith fired a seven-under-par 63 to grab a share of the lead after the first round of the Hong Kong Open on Thursday. The 30-year-old Australian and headline act at the $2 million Asian Tour International Series event topped the leaderboard along with Spain's Eugenio Chacarra.

Major winner Cameron Smith fired a seven-under-par 63 to grab a share of the lead after the first round of the Hong Kong Open on Thursday. The 30-year-old Australian and headline act at the $2 million Asian Tour International Series event topped the leaderboard along with Spain's Eugenio Chacarra. In hot, overcast and sometimes blustery conditions on the composite course at Fanling, the 2022 British Open champion Smith carded eight birdies against one bogey. Smith, one of the biggest names to jump ship to the lucrative Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour, made birdies in five of his last seven holes but felt that his round could have gone even better. However, he was content overall and said "it was all really solid stuff". "I missed one or two shorter putts, but these greens are so tricky here," said the mullet-haired Australian, who is chasing a first victory in the southern Chinese city. "Other than that, it's such a cool track, it's so traditional. "You have to think around here. I love it." Smith and the 23-year-old Chacarra were a shot ahead of Jang Yu-bin of South Korea and Thailand's Gunn Charoenkul at the 62nd edition of Asia's oldest professional golf tournament. Also Read: NBA: Mark Cuban sells majority stake of Dallas Mavericks to Casino tycoon Miriam Adelson The American Andy Ogletree, who leads the International Series Order of Merit, was prime among a chasing pack two shots off the lead. Major winners Patrick Reed and Graeme McDowell shot matching 67s and a share of 21st place. American Talor Gooch, who won three LIV events and this year's lucrative points title, carded 68. The Australian Wade Ormsby, who was victorious when the tournament was last played, in 2020, failed to fire with a first-round 70. The Hong Kong Open is back for the first time in three years following an enforced break because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Golf: Cameron Smith grabs lead after first round of Hong Kong Open

Cameron Smith said he was "still a bit asleep" after an early start to his second round but roused himself for a share of second place at the&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;Open&nbsp;on Friday.

The 2022 British&nbsp;Open&nbsp;champion, the joint overnight leader in the $2 million Asian Tour International Series event, carded six birdies against two bogeys for four-under-par 66.

The Australian was alongside South Korea's Bae Sang-moon on 11-under overall at the halfway stage at a sweltering Fanling, a shot behind leader Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand.

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The 30-year-old Smith, one of the biggest names to make the jump to the lucrative Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour, was out for his second round starting at 6:45 am.

"The 3:30 alarm this morning was a little bit much," said Smith, who is chasing victory at Asia's oldest professional golf tournament for the first time.

"The body wasn't quite there this morning, it was probably still a little bit asleep.

"But I managed to do what I really needed to do and go into the weekend with a shot."

Asked by AFP if he planned to practise in the afternoon, Smith said he was instead going to have a nap.

Phachara goes into the weekend top of the leaderboard after shooting a seven-under-par 63 to go with his opening-round 65.

Lee Chieh-po was among a group of five players on 10-under overall, two shots off the lead, the Taiwanese claiming an ace on the way to a second-round 65.

Major winners Graeme McDowell and Patrick Reed both in the hunt, lurking ominously at eight-under and seven-under respectively.

Australia's Wade Ormsby, who won Asia's oldest professional golf tournament the last time it was staged, in 2020, missed the cut as his title defence fell flat.&nbsp;

Cameron Smith said he was "still a bit asleep" after an early start to his second round but roused himself for a share of second place at the Hong Kong Open on Friday.

Cameron Smith said he was "still a bit asleep" after an early start to his second round but roused himself for a share of second place at the Hong Kong Open on Friday. The 2022 British Open champion, the joint overnight leader in the $2 million Asian Tour International Series event, carded six birdies against two bogeys for four-under-par 66. The Australian was alongside South Korea's Bae Sang-moon on 11-under overall at the halfway stage at a sweltering Fanling, a shot behind leader Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand. Also Read: James Maddison to miss England Euro 2024 qualifiers with ankle injury: Tottenham Hotspur The 30-year-old Smith, one of the biggest names to make the jump to the lucrative Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour, was out for his second round starting at 6:45 am. "The 3:30 alarm this morning was a little bit much," said Smith, who is chasing victory at Asia's oldest professional golf tournament for the first time. "The body wasn't quite there this morning, it was probably still a little bit asleep. "But I managed to do what I really needed to do and go into the weekend with a shot." Asked by AFP if he planned to practise in the afternoon, Smith said he was instead going to have a nap. Phachara goes into the weekend top of the leaderboard after shooting a seven-under-par 63 to go with his opening-round 65. Lee Chieh-po was among a group of five players on 10-under overall, two shots off the lead, the Taiwanese claiming an ace on the way to a second-round 65. Major winners Graeme McDowell and Patrick Reed both in the hunt, lurking ominously at eight-under and seven-under respectively. Australia's Wade Ormsby, who won Asia's oldest professional golf tournament the last time it was staged, in 2020, missed the cut as his title defence fell flat.

Golf: Aussie Cameron Smith holds on to second place in Hong Kong Open with Phachara in lead

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Golf: Cameron Smith grabs lead after first round of Hong Kong Open

Golf: Aussie Cameron Smith holds on to second place in Hong Kong Open with Phachara in lead