Golf: Dredge takes first-round lead in China

SHANGHAI - Bradley Dredge has fired a five-under-par 67 to share the lead with Australia's Unho Park after the first round of the China Open.

Welshman Dredge was almost unable to take part in the first event on the 2005 European Tour season in Shanghai after being detained at the airport because of visa problems on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old, whose only victory on the European Tour came at the 2003 Madeira Open, recorded an eagle and five birdies in blustery conditions at Silport Golf Club.

British pair Barry Lane and Matthew King battled the effects of jet-lag to finish the first day among a group of six players one stroke off the pace.

Zhang Lian-wei, who became the first Chinese golfer to win on the European Tour when he won last year's Singapore Masters, shot a three-under-par 69.

Tournament favourite Thomas Bjorn reached the clubhouse four strokes off the lead along with former British Open champion Paul Lawrie.

- REUTERS