Defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez said he was happy just to get round after a bout of food poisoning curtailed his bid for a record fifth Hong Kong Open title.
The Spanish veteran, who is also seeking to become the first golfer to win the event three years in a row, struggled to an opening round of two-over par in the southern Chinese city.
“I’ve been sick all night, vomiting, and I got no sleep,” said Jimenez.
“I ate something that my body reacted badly to. Maybe it was the seafood, maybe it was the meatballs, but I had no chance at all today.
“It’s a pity and wasn’t the best start but I tried to do my best. I’m a professional and I came here to play even though my body was telling me not to,” he added.
Jimenez, 50, was in obvious discomfort as he traded three bogeys with a birdie on the par 70, 6,699-yard course at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling. “It was hard to get round,” said Jimenez, the oldest winner on the European Tour said.
“There are a couple of tough slopes out there and I was almost down on my hands and knees.”
Defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez, looking for a record fifth title here, battled a stomach bug to card two-over par 72.