Malaysian Open: Thongchai takes early lead

Kuala Lumpur: Taking an early three-shot lead with an eagle and six birdies, defending champion Thongchai Jaidee scored eight-under-par 64 to top the Carlsberg Malaysian Open leaderboard in a rain-marred first round today. The Asian Tour number one produced what he called "perfect golf" at the Saujana Golf and Country Club on the opening day of the USD 1.21 million championship, which is jointly sanctioned by the European Tor. Australian Jarrod Moseley, Emanuele Canonica of Italy, Swedes Pelle Eberg and Niclas Fast, last week's New Zealand Open champion, share second place on 67 while Prom Meesawat of Thailand was third with a 68. Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez, a five-time winner last year, Dane Thomas Bjorn, Irish Ryder Cup star Paul McGinley also enjoyed solid starts with four-under rounds. However, World No. 8 Padraig Harrington of Ireland, the highest ranked player in the field, was four-under through 13 holes when play was halted for two hours because of a severe thunder storm. He dropped three shots upon the resumption for a 71. In all, 45 players will return tomorrow morning to finish their opening rounds but Thongchai will have the luxury of a lie-in. Starting from the 10th, Thongchai nailed a wedge to six inches of the flag in the first hole, which marked the start of five birdies in six holes. His shot of the day came on the fourth, a 331-yard dogleg left challenge which hugs a water hazard. (AP)