Australian Craig Scott overcame disrupted preparations to card a six-under-par 65 and claim a one-stroke lead at the Midea China Classic.

Scott's compatriot Brad McIntosh and Brisbane-based Irishman Eddie Barr each shot opening 66s at the Royal Orchid International Golf Club south of Guangzhou to tie for second.

Australian 2003 US Open runner-up Stephen Leaney, Korean Sung Sea-woo and Chinese duo Gao Jie and Liu Junfeng were tied for fourth at four under.

After passport and visa problems, Scott arrived yesterday evening. But despite being unable to play the Nick Faldo-designed course, he carded five birdies and an eagle at the par-five 18th against just one bogey.

"That wasn't bad, considering I've never played the course before," said the 26-year-old.

"I turned up at Melbourne airport on Saturday but had a little tear in my passport - so it was confiscated, along with my Chinese visa. I got a new passport by Monday afternoon, but the Chinese embassy was closed by then.

"I went to the embassy on Tuesday morning. But they couldn't issue a same-day visa, so I booked a flight to Hong Kong that night and got a visa there on Wednesday. I then took a long bus ride and arrived at 5.30, so quickly drove the course in a buggy.

"I've never played without a practice round. But it's not such a bad thing - because you don't know where the danger is.

"My new driver has a stiff shaft that takes left out of play and is working well. There was just one bad drive at the last, but otherwise I was pretty solid."