Henrik Stenson shot a 7-under 65 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the HSBC Champions tournament. The Swede dropped a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th, putting him a shot ahead of four of the game's top players: Sergio Garcia, Anthony Kim, Phil Mickelson and Australia's Adam Scott. Garcia could have carded a 65, too, but the Spaniard missed a four-foot eagle putt on the 18th. The putt came after a 235-yard 5-wood landed just below the hole and rolled close. Garcia is the world's No. 3-ranked player behind Tiger Woods and Mickelson. If he wins, the No. 2 spot is his. If Garcia finishes second, Mickelson needs to finish at least fourth to keep his No. 2 spot. If Garcia finishes third, the American will hold on by finishing at least 15th. The HSBC event is being called “Asia's major” and there are suggestions it should become a World Golf Championships event. But for now it's simply a $5 million tournament with 10 of the world's top 20 playing. An all-day drizzle combined with some heavy rain - mixed with fog and Shanghai smog - limited visibility at the Sheshan Golf Club located just outside China's financial capital. American Anthony Kim limped around the course. In the last few weeks he badly sprained his right ankle, and also bruised his jaw while horseback riding. He said the horse raised up and as it came down, Kim's mouth slammed shut as his mount hit the ground. Verplank surges into lead In Miami, Scott Verplank regained his putting touch to charge into a share of the early lead in the opening round of the Disney Classic at Lake Buena Vista, Florida on Thursday. Long regarded as one of the best putters on the PGA Tour, Verplank fired a flawless eight-under-par 64 on the Magnolia course, one of two venues hosting the final event of the 2008 season. The Texan birdied his last three holes in bright sunshine to finish level with compatriot Kevin Streelman, who also played on the Magnolia layout at the Walt Disney World Resort. Rich Beem and fellow American Robert Garrigus opened with 65s while former world number two Davis Love III carded a 66 on the neighboring Palm course. Verplank, bidding for his sixth PGA Tour title, was delighted to produce his best putting round since the Northern Trust Open in February. – AP __
