Spaniard Colomo surges ahead at Hong Kong Golf Open

Hong Kong, Nov 15 (IANS) Asian Tour rookie Javi Colomo of Spain produced a superb 64 on the opening day of the Hong Kong Golf Open here Thursday.

Compatriot Miguel Angel Jimenez, who is 23 years older than Colomo, showed that old is still gold when he rolled back the years to take a share of second place with Australia's Andrew Dobt with 65, reports Xinhua.

Chinese veteran Zhang Lianwei trailed by one shot taking equal fourth place alongside Asian Tour honourary member Yang Yong?eun of South Korea, Ryger Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal of Spain, Italian Gagli Lorenzo and Sweden's Frederik Andersson.

Colomo began with ten pars in a row but five birdies in the next six holes through him alongside Jimenez and after completing a front nine 29 he finished his day's work with a four foot putt for yet another birdie at the 367 yard tenth.

"I was very relaxed after the first nine holes and after that I took all my birdie opportunities. It helped that I had luck on my side on the greens as well," said Colomo.

It could so easily have been Jimenez's day, but after seven birdies the 48?year?old, twice a winner of the title and now trying to become the European Tour's oldest?ever champion, finished with two bogeys and slipped back alongside Dodt, who is playing with the added pressure of needing to improve his Race to Dubai ranking by three places to retain his European Tour card.

"I'm putting very well and it's a pity I missed a fairway on the ninth and then on the last got a big flyer," said Jimenez.

Highly regarded as a role model and big brother to the younger generations of golfers from China, Zhang showed that he can still lead the way after another commanding performance where he carded six birdies against a double?bogey.

After winning the National Opens of China and Macau, Zhang is hoping that he can add Hong Kong to his impressive haul of five victories on the Asian Tour.

World's No.1 and defending champion Rory McIlroy, who added the Race to Dubai title to his ever?growing trophy haul last week, could only manage a three over par 73.