China's Li Haotong birdied his final hole Thursday to card a seven-under par 63 and edge ahead of a packed leaderboard at the Asian Tour's International Series Macau.

Li, a multiple winner on the European Tour, had just one blemish, a bogey five at the 10th hole.

He has struggled since last winning at the BMW International in 2022 and admitted that the round had hugely exceeded his expectations.

"Not even close. I just tried to play steady so I'm really happy to have this score today," Li said.

One back on six-under par are LIV Golf League pair Pat Perez and Mito Pereira, plus Japan's Yuta Sugiura, after they all shot 64 at the Macau Golf and Country Club's par-70 layout.

Pereira is playing his fourth week in a row, with two Asian Tour events on either side of LIV commitments, as the Chilean chases ranking points to secure one of his country's two spots in the Paris Olympics.

"To be honest, I'm really tired and ready to go home," said the 28-year-old Pereira, who currently sits 41st on the Olympic Golf Rankings with the top 60 qualifying for Paris.

"This is the last push this week and I'm trying to really give my best."

Saudi-bankrolled LIV Golf has invested $300 million in the Asian Tour – which unlike LIV receives world-ranking points – leading to the creation of the International Series of 10 enhanced prize money events.

The series is making its debut in the southern Chinese resort city an hour's ferry ride from Hong Kong that boasts a glitzy strip modelled on Las Vegas, complete with luxury hotels and casinos.

Australia's Scott Hend was one of 11 players lying two behind Li after a five-under 65. (AFP)