SHANGHAI (AP) — Branden Grace made the most of the soft, calm conditions Thursday for a 9-under 63 and a one-shot lead in the HSBC Champions.
Sheshan International was so vulnerable that 65 of the 78 players were at par or better.
Grace was 5-0 in the Presidents Cup last month in Korea. His birdie on the ninth hole to finish the round gave him the lead over Kevin Kisner, Steven Bowditch and Thorbjorn Olesen.
Dustin Johnson, who won the HSBC Champions when he was last here two years ago, was among those at 65.
Rory McIlroy finally made it to the course after battling food poisoning all week. He had a 68 with a double bogey on his card. Also at 68 were Jordan Spieth and defending champion Bubba Watson.
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