Watney Leads American-Friendly HSBC

If you didn't know any better when checking the leaderboard of the HSBC Champions, you'd think it was just another PGA Tour event. Unfortunately, it's not, but with all the American flags hibernating near the top, five of the top-12 to be exact, you'd think this tournament was being held in the States, not in Shanghai, China.

Nick Watney, an American, set the course record at Sheshan International Golf Club on Thursday with a 8-under 64, but near his heels are a few well known names, including Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, playing in this event together for the first time.

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Woods, a runner-up here twice but never a winner, put together an impressive 6-under 65 to tie for fifth after the opening round with three other golfers including fellow Presidents Cup victor Anthony Kim.

Just above them are Ryan Moore, Shane Lowry and Martin Kaymer, all with 64s. Kaymer, second on the Race to Dubai, the European Tour's equivalent to the FedEx Cup, is trying to leapfrog Lee Westwood for the top spot on the list, with Westwood finishing the day in China with 2-under 70.

Mickelson, who won this event in 2007, is t-13 after a 3-under 69.

Of the 14 Americans in the field at the HSBC, 11 of them were able to break par on Thursday and nine of them are tied for 13th or better.