66s put Sergio Garcia and Richie Ramsay in the frame at China Open

FORMER world No 2 Sergio Garcia rediscovered a bit of form and Scot Richie Ramsay again displayed some eastern promise as both carded first-round 66s that left them two shots off the lead at the China Open.

Ramsay - who upstaged the likes of Tiger Woods, Martin Kaymer and Luke Donald when he finished in a share of third on his last visit to China in November's WGC HSBC Champions event - made a flying start at Luxehills Country Club in Chengdu yesterday.

The Aberdonian went round in six under par on a day of low scoring that saw Korean teenager Han Chang-won surge to the front with a 64. Having started on the back nine, Ramsay picked up birdies at 10 and 11. The 27-year-old former US Amateur champion made further gains at the 16th, 18th and the first and, despite a bogey on the third, he hit back with birdies at the fourth and the sixth to move into a tie for seventh.

One of the players joining him in seventh place in the $3 million event co-sanctioned by the European and OneAsia Tours is Garcia. The Spaniard took a small step towards ending his trophy drought with a flawless 66. The 31-year-old carded six birdies with 33s on the back and front nine. Garcia's last victory was at the 2009 HSBC Champions European Tour event in Shanghai after which he climbed to a career-high second in the world rankings.

Garcia and Ramsay are now trying to catch 19-year-old Han, a former Asian Amateur champion playing in his rookie season as a professional. He carded a bogey-free round, which included birdies on the last four holes.

"It's very good weather and I got a bit lucky today," said the teenager, who turns 20 next month.

"I missed a few easy shots but most of the time I was perfect and hit the fairways and got close to the pins. I felt comfortable going into those last four holes which I birdied. I didn't really feel any pressure and it was a good finish.

"I've been playing golf for nine years. I've only been professional from this year.

"I've not made much money yet as a professional so it would be nice to get some this week."

The opening round in Chengdu was hit by a one-hour fog delay at the start, which led to the suspension of play with 24 players left on the course. Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington had a mixed round of one-under 71 and was tied for 83rd after carding three birdies and two bogeys.

Of the other Scots in the field, Stephen Gallacher opened his challenge with a 70 while Thailand-based Simon Yates carded a 71. David Drysdale was three-under through 16 holes when play was suspended, while Fife's Peter Whiteford was three-under with three to play.

Former US Open champion Michael Campbell was three off the lead after a five-under 67.The Kiwi, who has struggled in the last two years with injury, has put a run together recently having previously made only four cuts in two years.

Campbell, who finished 35th in Malaysia recently, said: "Every week seems to be getting better for me. I didn't finish it off last week in Malaysia but today I played great from tee to green and putted better.

"I missed a few short ones coming in but beside that it was a real solid first round. It's a snowball effect. I'm growing in confidence with each shot."