Fasth and Stadler lead in Shanghai

SHANGHAI, China -- Sweden's Niclas Fasth and Kevin Stadler of the United States led after the opening day of the HSBC Champions in Shanghai, closely pursued by a clutch of the $5 million tournament's star attractions.

The pair both carded eight-under-par 64s at the Sheshan International Golf Club to lead Fiji's Vijay Singh by three shots.

World number two Phil Mickelson, U.S. Open champion Angel Cabrera, British Open champion Padraig Harrington and leading Asian golfer KJ Choi are in an eight-strong group on 68 - four-under-par.

Former U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen and Argentine Andres Romero both shot 69s, but other big names fared less well with Scotland's Colin Montgomerie and Sergio Garcia of Spain struggling to 73s and South Africa's Ernie Els carding a three-over 75.

World number four Els continued to find it tough after missing the cut in last week's Singapore Open, won by the in-form Cabrera.

Fasth and Stadler, who salvaged his PGA Tour card with a strong finish in the final event of the season last weekend, matched the course record of Tiger Woods, who is absent this year, Swede Henrik Stenson and New Zealand's Michael Campbell.

Both made fast starts with Fasth birdieing his opening hole and following up with an eagle at the par-five second. Six other birdies followed, while Stadler, the son of 1992 Masters winner Craig, opened with three birdies.

"It was great to come here and play a worry-free tournament. I haven't had many of them in the last month or two," said the 27-year-old.

Mickelson, who struggled to a tie for 23rd in his first appearance in Asia last week, was far happier with his form in Shanghai.

The American birdied three of the first four holes and then played steady, mostly error-free golf.

"I just kind of played solid after that," he said. "It shows there's some low scores out there, but I feel like I played pretty good to get to four-under."

The HSBC tournament, dubbed 'Asia's major', has drawn 10 of the world's top 20 players.

Though it's still 2007, the HSBC event is also the first of the 2008 European Tour season, which has become a 12-month season without a break.

"This is the best scenario we can have on the European Tour to get these tournaments in where there is room on the schedule," Fasth said.

"Yes, they are on the wrong side of New Year's Eve, but this is the way it goes these days." E-mail to a friend