Practice makes perfect for Bjorn

THOMAS BJORN felt justly rewarded for discarding the swing textbook after surging to the front on the first day of the Johnnie Walker Classic in Bangkok.

The Dane, competing for the first time since early December, carded an eight under par 64 on the Alpine Golf and Sports Club course to finish just a stroke clear of Nick Faldo who managed a near flawless seven under par in his first tournament of the New Year.

Four players England's Ian Poulter, American Edward Loar and the Australian pair of Scott Gardiner and Jarrod Moseley are next best on six under par while British Open Champion, Ben Curtis, and Thai based Scot, Simon Yates are in a big group on four under par. Portrush's Graeme McDowell is the best placed of the three Irish players after managing two birdies near the end of his round of a one under par 71.