SHANGHAI, China -- Sweden's Henrik Stenson shot a 5-under-par 67 Thursday to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Asian Open.
Stephen Gallacher of Scotland and Jean Van de Velde of France
were tied for second at 68.
Colin Montgomerie was two strokes back in a group of six players that also included Ireland's Peter Lawrie, South Korea's Charlie Wi, Denmark's Thomas Bjorn, Australia's Marcus Fraser and the
Philippines' Frankie Minoza.
Jeev Milkha Singh of India, who won at Beijing last week, was
five strokes off the lead at an even-par 72.
Defending champion Ernie Els decided to skip the tournament.
The $1.8 million Asian Open is co-sanctioned by the PGA European
Tour and the Asian Tour.