Law, who won his maiden European Tour event at the Vic Open in Geelong two years ago, carded seven birdies in a bogey-free 64 at Education City Golf Club on Thursday.

It left him a shot ahead of England's Richard McEvoy, Italy's Nino Bertasio, Finland's Kalle Samooja and South Africa's Hennie Du Plessis.

Australians Wade Ormsby and Maverick Antcliff both made solid starts to the event, shooting two-under-par rounds of 69, which left them joint 33rd on a day of low scoring.

"Conditions were quite easy but I was happy with my iron play and I holed some putts, which was nice." – David Law

"I played really well," enthused the 29-year-old Law, who also shot 64 in the opening round of last year's British Masters.

"Conditions were quite easy but I was happy with my iron play and I holed some putts, which was nice.

"I've been guilty over the last few weeks when I've had decent rounds going of not finishing them off. I was really happy with how I stuck to my routines, my processes and I came out of it with a good score.

Defending champion Jorge Campillo, who defeated Scotland's David Drysdale in a play-off last year, was part of an 11-strong group on four-under par, with Drysdale returning a one-under-par 70.

Former champion Eddie Pepperell, who won the title in 2018 but was disqualified last year, birdied his first four holes before having to settle for a 69 to lie five shots off the lead.

Altogether, 74 players broke par on the day and the final group of Darren Fichardt, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Sebastian Heisele were three, two and one-under par respectively with one hole to complete on Friday morning.

- Phil Casey, PAA