Share

Levy within striking distance

Shanghai - Defending champion Alexander Levy made a battling three under par at the Volvo China Open on Thursday to put him within striking distance of the lead at the $3.2 million tournament.

The Frenchman was in a group of three one shot behind leaders Bradley Dredge of Wales, Michael Hendry of New Zealand and England's David Howell at the par 72 Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club.

Levy was joined by compatriot Julien Quesne and Australian Marcus Fraser on three under, while Chinese number one Li Haotong was on a respectable one under.

Dredge and Hendry carded bogey-free rounds on the opening day of the tournament, which is co-sanctioned by the European and OneAsia Tours.

"The greens were really firm so the big thing was if you were hitting the fairways, you had chances," said Dredge, a two-time European Tour winner.

"It was never easy getting the ball close to the hole with slopes on the greens and the firmness. It was quite a tricky round out there," he added, according to information released by the tournament's organisers.

Hendry won the Japan Tour title last week, a victory he said had boosted his confidence in China.

"It makes the game a little easier I think," he said. "It is always nice to play tournaments when you're in good form."

Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who won last week's Shenzhen International, joined China's Li on one under.

The pair tussled in a playoff at the Shenzhen tournament last Sunday, but Aphibarnrat emerged victorious to end Li's dream of a maiden European Tour victory.

They both bogeyed their opening holes in Shanghai before finishing stronger in the second half of the round.

Leading scores on Thursday after the first round of the Volvo China Open at the Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club, Shanghai, China (par 72):

68 - Michael Hendry (NZL), Bradley Dredge (WAL), David Howell (ENG)

69 - Julien Quesne (FRA), Alexander Levy (FRA), Marcus Fraser (FRA).

70 - Peter Uihlein (USA), Oliver Wilson (ENG), Benjamin Hebert (FRA), Johan Carlsson (SWE), Craig Lee (SCO), Park Ilhwan (KOR), Thomas Pieters (BEL), Shiv Kapur (IND)

71 - Jerome Lando Casanova (FRA) Mikko Korhonen (FIN), Scott Hend (AUS), Li Haotong (CHN), Ryan C Carter (USA), Scott Strange (AUS), He Shaocai (CHN), Rhein Gibson (AUS), Matteo Manassero (ITA), Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA)

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2250 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE