BEIJING - Indian stalwart Gaurav Ghei grabbed the first-round lead after a solid seven-under-par 65 with American star John Daly lurking two strokes back at the Pine Valley Beijing Open yesterday.

Ghei, a two-time winner in Asia, took advantage of calm early conditions and enjoyed a steady round including an eagle on the par-five second at the Pine Valley Golf Resort and Country Club. Thai rookie Panuwat Muenlek was a stroke back in second while Daly, a double major winner, was in lone third place after a 67 in the 500,000-dollar event.

Australia's Adam Le Vesconte fired a 68 in tied fourth spot alongside South African Hendrik Buhrmann and England's Ben St. John.

Ghei, who ended an 11-year drought with victory at the Taiwan Masters last year, added seven birdies to his eagle and just two bogeys.

"It is good to always think back on your win and if I can keep this up, it would be nice to be among the leaders in the final round. But this is still the early stages and anything can happen," said the 38-year-old Indian.

"It definitely is a course which suits the long hitters because the fairways are generous and we have guys like John Daly who is a major winner in the field, is it going to be a tough week to beat these guys."

Daly, who missed the cut at last week's BMW Asian Open in Shanghai, delivered a determined run with six birdies against a lone dropped shot.

"I came here Saturday and have been working hard on my game. You have to be well rested to play golf these days," said Daly, a five-time winner on the US PGA Tour.

"I got lucky. The wind wasn't blowing this morning so any time you can get out there without the wind blowing, it favours you. I hope to take this round and use the confidence heading into tomorrow." Second-placed Panuwat enjoyed a dream start with two eagles, a birdie and a bogey in the first four holes.

Wu Kang-chun was the highest ranked Chinese player in joint seventh position when he carded a 69 together with Singapore's Mardan Mamat, who celebrated his 200th appearance on the Asian Tour this week.

Also in tied seventh place was Thailand's Chapchai Nirat, currently ranked 10th on the Asian Order of Merit, Taiwan's Lin Wen-tang, Americans Edward Michaels and Anthony Kang, Australian trio of Brad Kennedy, Scott Strange and Neven Basic, Brad Iles of New Zealand and Welshman Craig Smith.*AFP

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