Shenzhen International 2017: Thursday Leaderboard Scores and Highlights

Bubba Watson made a flying start to the 2017 Shenzhen International on Thursday, grabbing the clubhouse lead before the threat of lightning suspended play. Competition resumed later in the day but was again suspended due to fading light.

The two-time Masters winner finished the day six-under and sits one shot ahead of Haydn Porteous, Maximilian Kieffer, Dean Burmester, Thongchai Jaidee and the in-form Gregory Bourdy. Tommy Fleetwood closed on three-under.

Here's a look at the leaderboard:

Position	Player	To Par	Thursday Score
1	Bubba Watson	-6	66
T2	Haydn Porteous	-5	67
T2	Maximilian Kieffer	-5	67
T2	Dean Burmester	-5	67
T2	Gregory Bourdy	-5	67
T2	Thongchai Jaidee	-5	67
T7	Dylan Frittelli	-4	68
T7	Thorbjorn Olesen*	-4	After 16
T7	Bernd Wiesberger*	-4	After 16
T7	Eduardo De La Riva*	-4	After 12

Watson has stolen the show at the Genzon Golf Club in the past and headed into this year's tournament with plenty of momentum. The American seemed relaxed during the opening ceremonies, and things were no different on Thursday, as he found the time to put out videos like this:

Starting on the back nine, the 38-year-old hit an early bogey but recovered immediately with three birdies in the next four holes. He would add two more birdies and a fantastic eagle on the front nine, good for a score of six-under and the lead.

His approach for the eagle was one of the best shots of the day, leaving him with a tricky but makeable putt he duly converted.

Zhong Zhi/Getty Images

Porteous appeared to be on his way to the lead for most of his round, making no less than 10 birdies, but a double bogey on the ninth brought his score down.

The South African couldn't believe what his card looked like after the round:

Just four pars showed exactly how Porteous has struggled for consistency all season, and he'll have to settle down in order to survive the cut this week―something he has failed to do six times already this year.

Bourdy impressed in the early rounds of the Trophee Hassan II last week before sinking on the final day, and he made another fine start on Thursday with a bogey-free round of five-under. Maintaining his strong form will be the key for the Frenchman this week.

Fleetwood set the pace early with a flawless back-nine, but he made one bogey and par the rest of the way on the front-nine. The 26-year-old drove the ball well and has to be ranked among the favourites to win the tournament this year.