HSBC Champions 2016: Leaderboard Analysis After Thursday, Players to Watch

The first day of the 2016 WGC-HSBC Champions in China has ended and Sweden’s Rikard Karlberg holds a one-shot lead at this early stage. He shot an eight-under 64 at Sheshan International Golf Club to take the initiative in what promises to be a highly competitive tournament. 

American Ricky Fowler finished the day close behind with a seven-under 65 while Russell Knox, last year’s winner, carded an impressive six-under 66.

The first day was less successful for world No. 3 Rory McIlroy, who could only muster a one-under 71 on a rainy outing in China.

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Leaderboard Analysis

Karlberg deserves the headlines after an excellent round that nearly landed him a resounding lead at the top. The 29-year-old was nine under heading into the final hole but tripped up at the last, taking four shots to make it to the green and agonisingly missing his par putt. The board looks tight, but Karlberg’s rivals will be all-too aware that the Swede could have opened up a surprisingly large lead.

This was not a day for the favourites. The weather conditions perhaps knocked both McIlroy and Dustin Johnson off their stride, with neither golfer getting anywhere near Karlberg’s score. Johnson can perhaps be excused an off day—his double-bogey six on 16 tainted what was an otherwise decent opening round to give …

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