Lascuña struggles at start of rich WGC-HSBC event

SHANGHAI—The tough conditions and the pressure of playing in his first World Golf Championship event left Antonio Lascuña struggling with a 4-over-par 76 after the opening round of the $8.5-million WGC-HSBC Champions on Thursday.

The lone Filipino in the 78-man field featuring 40 of the world’s top 50 golfers was in the first flight that teed off at Sheshan Inter-national Golf Club and settled for four bogeys in a 38-38 card.

Former US Open champion Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland shot five birdies on his front nine for a 67 that gave him a two-shot lead over American Rickie Fowler, Germany’s Martin Kaymer and four others.

Only 27 players broke par.

Conditions were so tough that Ernie Els and Sergio Garcia could manage only 74s.

Meanwhile, Juvic Pagunsan fired a 69 to trail by five in the first round of the Heiwa PGM Championship in Ibaraki, Japan. Asian Tour News