Haotong Li fired four consecutive birdies from the 14th as well as three birdies and one bogey on the front nine to close with a 6-under 66 and take a share of the opening lead at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo.

“I’m very pleased, especially because I just got out from that time off and I felt a little bit rusty the first few holes,” said the Chinese player. “And just very glad and happy to finish like this.

“My driver is still quite off, but I just hit a lot of mini drivers off the deck and put myself in play. And my approach is sharp as usual, so just gave myself a lot of birdie opportunities.”

Li has been on form this season having recorded five top-5 finishes including his win at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in February.

South African Thomas Aiken and German Marcel Siem also fired seven birdies and one bogey for their share of the lead while Austrian Matthias Schwab made two eagles at the par-5s 3rd and 15th, four birdies and two bogeys for his.

“I was a bit rusty, I thought, but I came off a five-week break, and I’m really, really pleased,” said Siem. The back nine was fantastic. Gained a bit of confidence. I played quite solid the front nine. So I’m very pleased, very happy.”

England’s Matt Fitzpatrick made two bogeys for a 67 and a share of fifth place alongside Japan’s Keita Nakajima who made just one bogey.

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