HONG KONG – After a six-week delay because of anti-government protests, the Hong Kong Open finally got going Thursday.
Wade Ormsby and Tomoharu Otsuki shared the early lead at 5-under 65 at the tournament that was originally scheduled for November in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory which has seen more than six months of anti-government demonstrations.
Ormsby, who won the event in 2017, carded six birdies and one bogey while Otsuki didn’t drop a shot. The Japanese player had three birdies in the opening five holes and added two more on 12th and 13th holes.
Full-field scores from the Hong Kong Open
''A little bit windy in the afternoon but I’m happy with how I held up,’' Ormsby said. ''I like a lot of these shots around here ... that’s why I’ve chosen to start my season here.’'
Yikeun Chang (66) is in a tie for third with the Australian pair of Travis Smyth and David Gleeson. Shane Lowry and Tony Finau (both 69) held a share of 20th place with nine others.