Kiradech Aphibarnrat overcame fatigue to fire a sizzling seven-under-par 65 for the first round clubhouse lead in a storm-hit Malaysian Open on Thursday.
Kiradech Aphibarnrat: Setting the pace
The burly Thai needed to preserve his energy levels due to a thyroid problem but still had enough firepower to shoot eight birdies against one bogey at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club's West course.
Denmark's Anders Hansen, playing with Kiradech, birdied his last three holes for a fine 66 which was matched by Ryder Cup star Edoardo Molinari of Italy and Frenchman Gregory Bourdy in the event co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.
Play was abandoned at 4.05pm due to a heavy thunderstorm, with 78 players to resume their opening round on Friday morning (7.45am). Scott Jamieson of Scotland was six-under through 10 holes while 2011 Masters
Tournament winner Charl Schwartzel of South Africa and China's Wu Ashun stood at four-under through 11 and 12 holes respectively.
Malaysian veteran S. Murthy carded an impressive bogey-free 67 to raise local cheers but world number three Luke Donald of England opened with a disappointing 74 in his Maybank Malaysian Open debut.
Kiradech has been beleaguered by a thyroid disease, which causes tiredness since the start of the year but it has not prevented him from producing some top finishes. He was third at the Asian Tour's season-opening Zaykabar Myanmar Open and fourth at the Avantha Masters in India last week.
"The weather is too hot and the thyroid disease is making me feel tired. Honestly, I didn't have enough energy to hit long drives. I'm still taking medication for my thyroid condition and I'll consider going for an operation when I consult my doctor in six months' time," said Kiradech.
"I didn't force myself or any of my golf shots. I didn't set any goals. I didn't tell myself that I should finish in the top-five or win this event. I want to take it shot by shot. When you don't have power or energy, you can't force yourself," he added.
Molinari, a two-time European Tour winner, produced his best round since last March after starting to work with Sean Foley, who also trains 14-time Major champion Tiger Woods.
"He (Foley) is making big changes. I need big changes because I didn't like the way I was playing last year. I felt it wasn't right. I felt it was time to change. I like what he says and I have a lot more knowledge on what I'm doing on the golf course. As soon as I missed a shot on the course then I know how to fix it," said the Italian, who carded eight birdies.
Frenchman Bourdy, winner of the 2009 Hong Kong Open, renewed his love affair with Asia with a round that included seven birdies. It gave him a chance to go one better than his runner-up finish at the 2011 Maybank Malaysian Open.
"It's very hot. I can't say I love it but I don't mind it. I feel good when it is warm and I usually play well when it's like this, so I hope it continues. I like the course a lot. It's maybe one of the best we play all season and it's in great shape again this year. I hope my game stays like this until Sunday," said a delighted Bourdy.
Former world number one Donald struggled to get any momentum going in his round but remained upbeat.
"I made a slow start - three over through four - and I was just hanging on after that. There's a lot of trouble out there and I found too much of it. Golf is hard sometimes and not always going to go your way. I gave it my all but the result wasn't very good," said the Englishman.
"There's a low round out there though, and tomorrow hopefully I can shoot a low one. I'm going to need one to get back in the mix for this tournament," he added.
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