World No. 10 Hideki Matsuyama got off to a solid start at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions on Thursday, carding a 6-under-par 66 for a tie for third place.

Matsuyama, who last week become only the fourth Japanese golfer in history to make the top 10, reeled off 10 birdies against four bogeys in the first round at Sheshan International Golf Club. He sits two shots behind leader Rikard Karlberg of Sweden.

"I am not hitting my drivers or irons that well. I need to make some adjustments," Matsuyama said.

"My putts were good so I thought I could at least finish under par or thereabouts. I didn't think so many shots would go down."

Making his WGC debut, Karlberg shot a 64 to take a one-shot lead over American Rickie Fowler.

Hideto Tanihara had a birdie and a double bogey for a 73 and 48th place.

World No. 3 Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland had a 71 and was 24th.