Bradley shines in Shanghai

Keegan Bradley has not stopped pinching himself all year and he did it again yesterday after taking the lead in the final world championship of the season.

The 25-year-old US PGA champion who, in August, became only the second player in 98 years to win the very first major he played in, began the HSBC Champions in Shanghai with a seven-under-par 65.

“Every week I’m amazed at who I’m around,” Bradley said after opening a two-stroke gap over fellow American Bo Van Pelt and Swedes Alex Noren and Fredrik Jacobson.

Bradley had never played with Lee Westwood before, but outscored both England’s world No 2 and Australian Adam Scott, the other member of the three-ball, by four.

“A year ago this week I had just got my PGA Tour card. To think a year on I would be sitting here in the lead is pretty remarkable,” he added.

This season’s other major champions Rory McIlroy and Charl Schwartzel had 70s, while Darren Clarke shot a 73. Justin Rose led the British challenge with a 68 and lies in joint fifth place on his first visit to Sheshan.