Rory McIlroy leads in Shanghai

Rory McIlroy shot an eight-under-par 64 to take the lead in the opening round of the lucrative Shanghai Masters.

The Northern Irishman is seeking the highest top prize in golf of £1.25m in the 30-man invitational event at Lake Malaren Golf Club.

McIlroy, 22, leads by one from Hunter Mahan and is three ahead of European trio Padraig Harrington, Paul Casey and Ian Poulter.

"If I can play as solidly for the next three days as I did today, I feel as if I'll be very difficult to beat," the US Open champion said.

Former International Sports Management stablemate Lee Westwood, who is five off lead on three-under, described McIlroy's recent decision to leave the company as "bizarre".