Six birdies fire McIlroy into lead in Hong Kong

McIlroy was among the first groups out at Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling and collected six birdies without dropping a shot to set the early clubhouse mark during the windy morning conditions.

But Horsey responded with a similar effort in the afternoon, while Quiros chipped in at the 18th to also end the day six under par.

The trio head former two-times winner Miguel Angel Jiminez by a stroke, with Northern Ireland’s Gareth Maybin and Australian Darren Beck two back on four under.

Starting on the tenth, McIlroy picked up birdies at the 14th and 16th to reach the turn in 33 before a sand wedge to inside three feet at the first brought another birdie. He moved to four under at the next and, although his drive from the fifth tee found the bunker, a superb recovery helped the Northern Irishman make his fifth birdie of the day before adding his sixth at the next to complete a satisfying opening effort.

“The greens are a lot firmer and a lot faster than usual, which makes it tougher to get the ball closer to the hole, but the wind today was a big factor,” said McIlroy. “It swirls in these trees, you can feel it one minute downwind and the next right to left, so you just have to trust where the wind is coming from. But, all in all, I was able to handle the wind pretty well.”

After lamenting his failure to turn some promising positions into more victories this season, McIlroy is keen to capitalise on a good start.

“Just getting myself in the position is a start and there might be a couple of things I can do better to turn those top-fives into wins. I’ve definitely let two or three tournaments slip away and that’s something I’m trying to work on,” he said.

“As long as I get myself in these positions and start winning more regularly, it becomes a habit and, hopefully, I’ll do it more often. It’s very encouraging that I’m getting these top-fives and top-threes regularly and, hopefully, I’ll get on a run and maybe win a few events in a short space of time. It’s just about consistency and putting yourself up on a Sunday week in and week out.

“I’ve led a lot of tournaments from the first day and won a couple of them, but there’s a long way to go and I’ll have to play very well to pick up the trophy.”

Horsey made birdies at the first and third before adding two more at the ninth and tenth. A crucial par save from the sand came at the next before a fine approach at the 12th moved the 26-year-old from Stockport to five under. He finished in style as his second to the par four 18th landed two feet from the pin and he tapped in for a 64.

“I wasn’t feeling great coming into the week, but did some good work yesterday on the range and it’s a good start,” said Horsey. “I love this course, it suits me and I haven’t done as well as I should have the last couple of years, so hopefully I can put that right this week.”

Quiros carded an eagle and four birdies and the Spaniard was also pleased to defy the blustery conditions.

“I gave myself a lot of good chances but didn’t holes putts. It was a fair score today,” he said.