China's Zhang Lianwei and Australian Kurt Barnes both carded 69 to share the lead in the Sofitel Zhongshan IGC Open.

Teenager James Su Dong, third last year, and Wu Kangchun, the 2007 champion, both shot 70 at the Nanjing Zhongshan International Golf Club. One shot behind were Yuan Hao, Chen Xiaoma, Yu Chunze and Australian Tristan Lambert.

Zhang is desperate to win the Sofitel title after finishing runner-up in the last two editions and the 43-year-old got off to a strong start in testing conditions that ranged from fierce winds to rain.

"My aim is to win. It's the same at every event I compete in," said Zhang, who birdied holes three, four, 11 and 15, conceding a sole bogey on 10.

"On the first nine, the wind was really strong, so I was happy to get to two-under. Then it started to rain and I was happy to stay at three-under coming in. Also, I've gone back to an old putter for this week and it's working quite well so far."

Zhang has won six titles on the Omega China Tour and the 2006 Omega Order of Merit and spearheads the local charge, which is under threat this week from a 10-strong contingent of Australians invited from the PGA Tour of Australasia.

Barnes is one of seven Australians who travelled to Nanjing from Beijing after competing in last week's Volvo China Open, where he finished joint-11th. The burly 27-year-old regularly drives between 330 to 340 yards and used his pounding tee-shots to good effect over the Gary Player-designed layout.

"After playing well last week, it's great to come here and start off well. I'm happy any time I finish under par, but especially because I was one-over after six holes," said Barnes, whose victories include the 2004 Queensland PGA Championship and 2005 Victorian Open.

Barnes, who plans to play in the US PGA Tour Qualifying School at the end of the year, shot seven birdies, including at the last two holes, two bogeys and a double-bogey on 16.

"To play well in the wind and the rain makes me happy," he said. "The wind definitely made it more challenging than on the previous days."

Su bagged two eagles in his 70, which also included two birdies, two bogeys and a double-bogey. The big-hitting 19-year-old teed off on 10 and eagled the par-five 11th, with a 40-foot chip-in, and also the second following a seven-iron approach to 20 feet.

"Actually, 70 is a pretty good round today. For me the first two holes were fine, but then the wind started up. However, I missed a few short putts so I think I can improve on this, especially if the wind dies down," said Su, who turned pro earlier this year after three top-three finishes on last year's Omega China Tour.

"I didn't play too well in my last few events, as I'm finding a different pressure playing as a professional. As an amateur, I used to just think about finishing first or second, otherwise I wasn't so interested. Now, I have to think about prize money, so I'm conscious of this a lot. It takes some getting used to."

Lambert's 71 meant he finished as the second-best Australian, one stroke ahead of compatriot Brad Andrews.

"I hit it pretty well, but I didn't hole any putts. I'm quite happy as I haven't been playing well recently, including at last week's Volvo China Open," said the 26-year-old, who missed the cut in Beijing.

Yuan, arguably China's longest hitter, birdied the first three holes and went on to reach four-under before a double-bogey at 15 and a bogey at 17 left him one-under.

Thailand's Wisut Arjanawat, who had three top-10 finishes on last year's Asian Tour, shot a 74, while compatriot Pariya Junhasavasdikul, in his first season on the regional circuit, posted a 76.

Danny Chia, the first Malaysian to win on the Asian Tour, and compatriot Khor Kheng Hwai both shot 79. All four players are making their debut on the Omega China Tour as invites of the Mercedes-Benz Tour.

Sofitel Zhongshan IGC Open, Nanjing, Omega China Tour

Leading first-round scores (par 72; Chinese unless stated):

69 - Zhang Lianwei, Kurt Barnes (AUS)

70 - James Su Dong, Wu Kangchun

71 - Chen Xiaoma, Tristan Lambert (AUS), Yu Chunze, Yuan Hao

72 - Yang Quan, C.J. Gatto (USA), Deng Yonghong, Cui Qiang, Zhang Jiyong, Brad Andrews (AUS), Jason Robertson (RSA), Qiu Zhifeng, Liang Shengli

73 - Chen Jian, Lu Wen-teh (TPE), Xie Pengfei, Fan Zhipeng

Selected scores:

74 - Xing Xiaoxuan, Craig Scott (AUS), Lee Joung-wook (KOR), Wisut Arjanawat (THA)

75 - Shang Lei, Huang Mingjie, Peter Wilson (AUS), Jason King (AUS), David Diaz (AUS)

76 - Michael Moore (AUS), Pariya Junhasavasdikul (THA), Eom Jae-woong (KOR), Tang Shing-chi (HKG)

78 - Brad Kennedy (AUS), Goh Kun Yang (SIN), Lawrence Petryk (MAC), Lu Chien-soon (TPE)

79 - Khor Kheng Hwai (MAS), Danny Chia (MAS)

83 - Wong Woon-man (HKG)