Graeme McDowell was shocked by his nightmare start to the defence of his Ballantine's Championship title as he ended the first round 11 shots off the lead.

The Northern Ireland golfer endured a tough return to the Pinx Country Club on Jeju Island, firing three bogeys in his first nine holes and three more on the home stretch.

Birdies at the fourth and ninth took the sting out of the round, but still left McDowell (right) on four over.

"I'm shocked and stunned," he said. "I just didn't play very well. I drove it all over the place. It was just a bad morning at the office. I didn't feel quite at the races. I've got no complaints. The course was there for the taking. It was in good condition, the greens were a little elusive. I didn't really putt too well at all."

New Zealand's Mark Brown set the pace on seven under, one ahead of South Korea's Kang Kyung-nam.

"The last two or three tournaments I've started to play a bit better," said Brown. "I'm aiming to peak for The Open in July so this is a step in the right direction."