Fourth Time Lucky

First Round – 11 January

Park continued his love affair with the championship by firing a solid two-under-par 68 to share the first-round lead with Hong Kong's Charlie Lee Cheuk-lam, a teaching professional based in the northern Chinese city of Hangzhou.

Despite the weather forecast being far from ideal – squally showers had been forecast – the rain largely stayed away, although conditions were undoubtedly more difficult for the early starters.

Also impressing on day one was Hong Kong amateur Leon D'Souza – the reigning Hong Kong Open Amateur champion – and local pro James Wong Woon-man, who both returning matching one-under-par scores of 69.

Asian Tour regular Scott Barr, who has finished runner-up in the last three editions of the championship, opened with a 70 to be well placed, while tournament drawcard Beem struggled with his putting on his way to a 74.

"It's always good to have the lead, but it's still very early days," said Park, who celebrated his 42nd birthday on the eve of the championship. "The first two days of this event are about trying to put myself into position and enjoying myself," continued the Singapore-based Australian. "The business end comes on Wednesday."

Beem, who made headlines in October when he gave up his sponsors' exemption at the Hong Kong pen to allow Ian Poulter a place in the field when the Englishman was on the verge of losing his European Tour membership, said: "It was a lot of fun to get the competitive juices flowing again but I putted like I'd never touched a putter in my life – it was scary bad.

"But it's great to be back in Hong Kong. I'm so impressed with the place and I'm still having fun on the course. There are no excuses. I didn't get it done. The greens won today."