US Open champion Brooks Koepka felt “destiny” was on his side after firing an eventful 64 to claim the lead in the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai.

Koepka carded seven birdies, an eagle and a solitary bogey at Sheshan International to finish eight under par, a shot ahead of Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Malaysia’s Gavin Green.

American Ryder Cup star Patrick Reed and South Africa’s Haydn Porteous were two shots off the pace on six under, with Olympic champion Justin Rose and Ireland’s Paul Dunne part of a five-strong group on five under.

Koepka began his round on the back nine and birdied the 14th, 16th and 17th before holing from 20 feet for eagle on the par-five 18th to reach the turn in 31.

The 27-year-old also birdied the first before three-putting the third, but bounced back to pick up shots on the fourth, seventh and eighth, the latter coming in unlikely fashion.

“It was an interesting hole to say the least,” Koepka said after his round. “It was an awful 3-iron (off the tee), hit it in the water and was lucky enough or fortunate enough to at least be able to hit it and advance it.

“And then to hit 3-wood in there to 15 feet and then make the putt, we were laughing. It was almost kind of like destiny to make that putt for how lucky we were that whole hole.”

Koepka, whose shirt bore the evidence of his escape from the muddy water, added: “I felt like I started really well. Drove it really well.

“Any time you’re making putts and you’re keeping it in the fairway, you’re going to shoot good (scores).”

England’s Tyrrell Hatton, who is seeking a hat-trick of victories after winning the Dunhill Links and Italian Open, is four shots off the pace after a 68 matched by compatriots Matt Fitzpatrick and Matthew Southgate and world number one Dustin Johnson.

Race to Dubai leader Tommy Fleetwood carded an opening 71, but defending champion Hideki Matusyama struggled to a two-over-par 74.