Barnes, who plans to play in the US PGA Tour Qualifying School at the end of the year, shot seven birdies, including at the last two holes, two bogeys and a double-bogey on 16.

"To play well in the wind and the rain makes me happy," he said. "The wind definitely made it more challenging than on the previous days."

Notables at the Sofitel Zhongshan IGC Open: Qin, Zhang, Liao, Wang, and Jia [WorldSportsGroup]

Su, 19, bagged two eagles in his 70, which also included two birdies, two bogeys and a double-bogey. The big-hitting 19-year-old teed off on 10 and eagled the par-five 11th, with a 40-foot chip-in, and also the second following a seven-iron approach to 20 feet.

"Actually, 70 is a pretty good round today. For me the first two holes were fine, but then the wind started up. However, I missed a few short putts so I think I can improve on this, especially if the wind dies down," said Su, who turned pro earlier this year after three top-three finishes on last year's Omega China Tour.

"I didn't play too well in my last few events, as I'm finding a different pressure playing as a professional. As an amateur, I used to just think about finishing first or second, otherwise I wasn't so interested. Now, I have to think about prize money, so I'm conscious of this a lot. It takes some getting used to."

Lambert's 71 meant he finished as the second-best Australian, one stroke ahead of compatriot Brad Andrews.

"I hit it pretty well, but I didn't hole any putts. I'm quite happy as I haven't been playing well recently, including at last week's Volvo China Open," said the 26-year-old, who missed the cut in Beijing.

Yuan, arguably China's longest hitter, birdied the first three holes and went on to reach four-under before a double-bogey at 15 and a bogey at 17 left him one-under.

Thailand's Wisut Arjanawat, who had three top-10 finishes on last year's Asian Tour, shot a 74, while compatriot Pariya Junhasavasdikul, in his first season on the regional circuit, posted a 76.

Danny Chia, the first Malaysian to win on the Asian Tour, and compatriot Khor Kheng Hwai both shot 79. All four players are making their debut on the Omega China Tour as invites of the Mercedes-Benz Tour.

Sofitel Zhongshan IGC Open, Nanjing, Omega China Tour

Leading first-round scores (par 72; Chinese unless stated):

69 – Zhang Lianwei, Kurt Barnes (AUS)

70 – James Su Dong, Wu Kangchun

71 – Chen Xiaoma, Tristan Lambert (AUS), Yu Chunze, Yuan Hao

72 – Yang Quan, C.J. Gatto (USA), Deng Yonghong, Cui Qiang, Zhang Jiyong, Brad Andrews (AUS), Jason Robertson (RSA), Qiu Zhifeng, Liang Shengli

73 – Chen Jian, Lu Wen-teh (TPE), Xie Pengfei, Fan Zhipeng

Selected scores:

74 – Xing Xiaoxuan, Craig Scott (AUS), Lee Joung-wook (KOR), Wisut Arjanawat (THA)

75 – Shang Lei, Huang Mingjie, Peter Wilson (AUS), Jason King (AUS), David Diaz (AUS)

76 – Michael Moore (AUS), Pariya Junhasavasdikul (THA), Eom Jae-woong (KOR), Tang Shing-chi (HKG)

78 – Brad Kennedy (AUS), Goh Kun Yang (SIN), Lawrence Petryk (MAC), Lu Chien-soon (TPE)

79 – Khor Kheng Hwai (MAS), Danny Chia (MAS)

83 – Wong Woon-man (HKG)

(China.org.cn April 23, 2009)