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France's Alexander Levy shot a first-round 65 to claim a one-stroke lead at the BMW Masters in Shanghai.

Levy, 24, looking for a third European Tour title of the season and second in China, picked up seven birdies in his seven-under-par opening round.

Fellow countryman Romain Wattel is tied for second on six under with Belgium's Nicolas Colsaerts and Argentine Emiliano Grillo.

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell is a shot further back on five under.

McDowell's European Ryder Cup team-mates Thomas Bjorn and Jamie Donaldson were among a six-strong group on four under which also featured England's Oliver Wilson, who won his first European Tour event - the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship - in October.

Justin Rose recovered from a poor start, which included a triple-bogey eight on the 13th, to finish level par.

Ian Poulter struggled to a two-over 74 which contained five bogeys and three birdies.

There was a moment to savour for Eduardo Molinari as the Italian carded a hole-in-one on the par-three fourth.

Although a new sports car is the prize for an ace at the 17th, Molinari had to make do with a radio-controlled model from the sponsors and a magnum of champagne.

"Now I have the little car, I want to win the big one," he said.