Intro:

Hendry, Dredge and Howell share lead after day one of China Open tied on four-under-par at the top of the leaderboard following round one of the European Tour's China Open on Thursday (23 April).

Script:

Firm and fast greens combined with a persistent breeze made conditions trickier than usual for the first round of the China Open on Thursday.

England's Tommy Fleetwood followed-up his impressive outing at the Shenzhen Open last week with an even-par round - a birdie at the 10th hole was one of three cancelled out by bogeys at 8th, 15th and 18th.

The man who won last week, Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand, continued his fine form. He opened with a one-under-par 71 thanks to this birdie at the 14th.

Julien Quesne was another man who played well last week at the Shenzhen.

He's nearer the top of the leaderboard, after a three-under 69.

This was his impressive tee shot at the par-three 8th, setting up a straight-forward putt for birdie.

Also continuing good form was the winner of the Japan Tour last weekend, Michael Hendry of New Zealand - he carded a four-under 68 and sits at the top of the leaderboard.

Tied with him was Wales' Bradley Dredge, who holed-out for par on the 18th to complete his day, like Hendry, without a bogey to his name.

Joining both of them on 68 is David Howell.

The Englishman birdied both the 13th and 17th holes on his way to five overall, dropping just one shot at the third.