WILTSHIRE golfer Jordan Smith carded a three-under 69 in his first round at a World Golf Championship event this morning to get off to a strong start in the WGC HSBC Champions event in China.

The events, which are restricted to the top 80 players in the world rankings, are golf’s premier tournaments outside the four Majors.

Smith, who is currently ranked at 76 in the world, teed off at the 10th hole at Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai and birdies at 14 and 17 saw him reach the turn at two-under.

A further two birdies within the first four holes after the turn had the Bowood player at four-under before things got even better with a fifth birdie of the day at number seven – Smith’s 16th.

However, the Derry Hill man suffered a frustrating finish to his round with a double bogey seven on his penultimate hole to drop back to three-under, although that was still enough for a tie of 21st place overall.

Smith will tee off his second round at 1:50am UK time tomorrow morning.