Liu Guojie carded a six-under-par 64 to open up a three-stroke lead after the first round of the Dell Championship in Xiamen.
The 41-year-old recorded five successive birdies on the back nine to climb to the top of the leaderboard ahead of Yu Gendong, who shot a 67.
"I drove well and my iron play was red hot," said Liu. "I also putted quite well."
Yu was also delighted with his round, and admitted afterwards: "I really thought at best I would be two or three over par - that's my level.
"I was so happy when I shot five birdies on the front nine, but told myself to calm down and not think about it."