The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Ryder Cup return target of Dubuisson comeback
CHINA OPEN: Frenchman has already recorded three top-20 finishes this year
France’s Victor Dubuisson is targeting a Ryder Cup return after another encouraging performance on his comeback from injury on day one of the Volvo China Open.
Dubuisson was three over par after three holes at Genzon Golf Club but birdied seven of the remaining 15 to card an opening 68 and finish three shots off the lead shared by Spain’s Jorge Campillo, American David Lipsky and Finland’s Tapio Pulkkanen.
The 29-year-old Frenchman is competing on a medical extension after playing just twice last year due to a perforated ear drum, but has already recorded three top-20 finishes this year as he looks to regain the form that brought him a Ryder Cup debut in 2014.
“I hope I can play at the next Ryder Cup, I hope I can play again,” said the world number 312, who won both of his foursomes matches alongside Graeme McDowell in Europe’s victory at Gleneagles.
“I hope I can play the WGCs and majors.
“I started very badly but came back well today so I’m happy.”
After needing 229 events to claim his first European Tour title, Campillo is in contention for back-to-back victories following his overdue win in the Hassan Trophy in Morocco on Sunday.
“I got a few nights sleep so it was good and I played all right,” Campillo said after an opening 65 which included four birdies and an eagle in a front nine of 30.
“The eagle on nine was the highlight, I made great putts on seven and eight back to back and then I hit a great hybrid on nine. I got an easy putt uphill and I made it.
“If I can keep playing like this and making the putts it will be a good sign.
“I’ll play to my best tomorrow and hopefully have a chance on the weekend.”
Home favourite and 2015 champion Wu Ashun is a shot off the lead alongside compatriot Jin Daxing and American John Catlin, with another Chinese star, world number 39 Li Haotong, one of eight players in a share of sixth place on five under.
Scott Jamieson was top Scot on four under, with Richie Ramsay just a shot further back. Grant Forrest was one under and Liam Johnston three over.
Leading scores (Gbr & Irl unless stated, par 72):
65 Tapio Pulkkanen (Fin), Jorge Campillo (Spa), David Lipsky (USA)
66 Daxing Jin (Chn), Ashun Wu (Chn), John Catlin (USA)
67 Mike Lorenzo-Vera (Fra), Ross Fisher, Romain Langasque (Fra), Haotong Li (Chn), Miguel Tabuena (Phl), Jordan Smith, Benjamin Hebert (Fra), Gavin Green (Mal)
68 Oliver Wilson, Jack Singh Brar, Mikko Korhonen (Fin), Scott Jamieson, Scott Hend (Aus), Yechun Yuan (Chn), Nacho Elvira (Spa), Erik Van Rooyen (Rsa), Sean Crocker (USA), Matthieu Pavon (Fra), Nicolas Colsaerts (Bel), Stuart Manley, Victor Dubuisson (Fra), Tirawat Kaewsiribandit (Tha), Hong-fu Wu (Chn), Yuta Ikeda (Jpn), Fabrizio Zanotti (Pry), Sam Brazel (Aus) Other scores included:
69 Richie Ramsay
71 Grant Forrest
75 Liam Johnston.