AUSTRIAN Markus Brier grabbed seven birdies in a five-under-par 67 to hold the lead after the first round of the €1.6 million China Open yesterday.

The 40-year-old enjoyed the warm and windless morning at the CBD International Golf Club to take a one-stroke from England’s Nick Dougherty and Australian David McKenzie.

“It was really a nice day . . . I hit some iron shots and the putter was really hot as well, which is a great combination,” said Brier, who won the 2007 China Open in Shanghai. “I made all the crucial par saves as well and that really kept the round alive,” he told the reporters.

England’s Simon Dyson and Chapchai Nirat of Thailand were tied in fourth after 69s.

Thai Chinnarat Phadungsil and Thongchai Jaidee, Australians Scott Strange and Matthew Millar, and South Korean Choi Ho-sung shared sixth place on two-under-par.

Defending champion Damien McGrane and Peter Lawrie are best of the Irish on level-par 72. McGrane spoiled a good round by taking eight at the 14th, at which stage he was four-under-par after five birdies in the first 13 holes. Lawrie mixed three birdies with three bogeys in halves of 36 for his 72.

Paul McGinley bogeyed four out of five holes from the 12th in his 74, Gareth Maybin failed to birdie any hole for a 76, the same mark as Gary Murphy, who took six at the 14th.

European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie carded five bogeys in a disappointing 73 in the first round of his 501st European Tour appearance.

Brier admitted he rode his luck at times but still felt he was good value for his one-stroke lead.