Shooting for a near $A 1 million cheque for victory in the richest golf event ever played in the world's most populous nation, Lee had a mixed bag of a round, featuring five birdies and four bogeys, as the event, which boasts a total prize kitty of $A5.8 million, kicked off amid storms on Thursday. 

LIV Golf star Smylie also recorded a 71 but in rather less spectacular fashion, recording two birdies after opening up with a six at the opening par-five hole.

Both Aussie stars managed to complete their rounds on a day when only about half the field managed to do so amid the storms. 

But there was still time for Denmark's Niklas Norgaard, after bagging an eagle at the first hole, to roar to the clubhouse lead with a six-under 66.

Spain's Eugenio Chacarra, Belgium's Thomas Detry and Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin were chasing after all recording 67s, while Adrian Meronk, victor at the recent Links Championship at St Andrews, looked set to contend in another European Tour event after a four-under 68.

Rory McIlroy, the biggest name in the field, was four shots off the pace after a two-under 70, as was reigning champion Tommy Fleetwood.

"Overall, it felt like it could have been a couple of shots better, but still a solid start," shrugged McIlroy, who revealed he had been practising his swing in his hotel room during the long stoppage.

Among the rest of the Australian contingent in action in Delhi, Ryan Peake shot a level-par 72 and Jason Scrivener a one-over 73, but Anthony Quayle had a day to forget with his three double-bogeys in an 81.