"I came early to prepare as this is such an important tournament as well as being the last event of the year. But I'm not thinking too much about the ranking as it all depends on how the other players perform. It is more important I focus on my own game."

For 2016 Volvo China Open champion Li Haotong, the dream of becoming the first Chinese double-winner of his national Open remains very much alive. An up-and-down round produced five birdies and three bogies as the two-time DP World Tour winner opened with a two-under-par 70 and a share of third place one shot off the lead.

"I didn't set a goal today because I haven't played a tournament in a long time," said Li, one of six players on two-under. "There was a nice run of four birdies in five holes from the sixth onwards and I made a number of long putts to save par."

Elsewhere, it was a disappointing start to the season finale for the two men at the top of the China Tour Prize Money Ranking List. Volvo China Open defending champion and number one on the Ranking List, Zhang Huilin carded an opening 75 (+3), while Hong Kong's Hak Shun Yat settled for a one-over-par 73.

The player who ends the season at the top of the 2020-2021 Ranking List will automatically receive full playing rights for the 2022 DP World Tour.

The second round of the 2021 Volvo China Open will get underway at 7.15 am on Friday.

Now in its 27th consecutive year, the Volvo China Open is the season finale of the 2021 China Tour and the longest-running professional golf tournament on the Chinese mainland.