Rikard Karlberg of Sweden, playing in the first World Golf Championships tournament of his career, posted an 8-under-par 64 to take a one-stroke lead over Rickie Fowler after the first round of the WGC-HSBC Champions at Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai, China.
The 29-year-old Karlberg collected nine birdies and he held a two-stroke lead until making his only bogey on the 18th hole.
“Everything was so easy,” said Karlberg, who has won eight times as a pro and claimed his only European Tour victory in the 2015 Open d’Italia. “It was just one of those days; it was a walk in the park.
“Committed to a lot of shots. Hit them perfect, just as I wanted. There was not a lot of tough things there. And I stayed aggressive on my putting all the way around, which I feel was good.”
Fowler, whose only victory in 2016 came in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, carded a bogey-free 65, while defending champion Russell Knox of Scotland shot 66 to tie for third with Hideki Matsuyama of Japan and Daniel Berger, the 2015 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year.
Paul Casey, continuing the hot streak he has been on since August, carded a 67 and was tied for sixth with Bill Haas, who had four birdies on his back nine, and Francesco Molinari of Italy, whose 67 was bogey-free.
Sergio Garcia of Spain, who won the WGC-HSBC in 2009, totaled 68 and was tied for ninth with Dean Burmeister of South Africa, Xinjun Zhang of China, Alex Noren of Sweden and Richard Bland of England.
Adam Scott of Australia was tied for 14th at 69, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland was tied for 24th at 71 and Dustin Johnson, the 2013 champion, was tied for 57th at 72, with his only birdie coming on the 12th hole.
