Mark Brown Leads With McIlroy, McDowell Close Behind in Hong Kong

Journeyman pro Mark Brown has snatched the round one lead at the UBS Hong Kong Open firing a 62 at the Hong Kong Golf Club.

The 446th ranked player in the world had 8 birdies and no bogies on the way to his best round of 2010.

The performance could certainly be characterized as a considerable surprise for the Auckland, New Zealand native has missed more cuts than he’s made in 2010.  The bookmakers aren’t particularly enamored with the Kiwi despite his clinical opening round.  He’s well down the betting board at (20-1)

As was hashed over yesterday, the week was shaping up to be one of the Irish as Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell headline the field in Hong Kong.  The two Ryder Cuppers from Northern Ireland didn’t disappoint.  McIlroy sits just one off the lead at (-7) and will certainly put the pressure on Brown in round two.  With the 21-year old in tie for second place, the books have him as a considerable favourite at (3-1).

McDowell was no duffer either on day one, as the US Open Champ fired a 65 and sits just 3 off the lead. As was the case before the round one teed off, McDowell sits #2 with the books and heads to round two at (5-1).

The bookies third pick is veteran Jeev Milka Singh.  He shares second place with McDowell after round one and the veteran pro should be given consideration in Hong Kong after a recent run of quality results.  Singh followed up a 14th place finish at the Andalucia Masters with a 16th at the Barclays Singapore Open and it seems these results have bolstered the books’ confidence in the 38-year old as he enters round two at (10-1).

Ian Poulter is always a focus of galleries throughout the world and he’s not out of it yet in Hong Kong.  He’ll enter round two five off the lead after his opening 67.  It’s a mildly impressive opening round as the Englishman battled a balky putter throughout.  His average of 1.82 putts per hole won’t get it done this week.  However, he’s not a historically mediocre putter so this could be an aberration.  The books haven’t give up on Poulter as he sits fourth on the betting board at (16-1).

Finally, the trials and tribulations of John Daly were on full display Thursday.  His round epitomized his up-and-down career as Daly posted 6 birdies, 3 bogies and a double en route to a one under 69.  Regardless, he hasn’t shot himself out of the tournament yet and will again go out at (100-1) on day two.

It is nothing new or original to say that golf is played one stroke at a time. But it took me many years to realize it    - Bobby Jones