Danny Lee stutters in Hong Kong 

New Zealand golfer Danny Lee was a disappointed figure after carding a level-par 70 on the opening day of the Hong Kong Open on Thursday.

Lee shot two birdies and two bogeys on the suburban Fanling course that left him lying seven shots behind Dutch leader Robert Jan Derksen midway through the first round of the $US2.5 million ($NZ3.4 million) co-sanctioned European and Asian Tour event.

Three players - Frenchman Gregory Bourdy, England's David Dixon and defending champion Wen-tang Lin of Chinese Taipei - were tied in second place at six-under par.

Lee returned to Hong Kong after the disappointment of having to withdraw from last year's event when he contracted chicken pox.

The teenager was clearly disappointed following his first round.

"I shot a 70 and I am not very happy," he said.

"The course really was there for the taking this morning and I just didn't manage to take advantage."

Compatriot Mark Brown played the afternoon half of the draw and was one-over par nearing the halfway point of his round.

---

---