Malaysian Open: Coles handles the heat

Britain's Robert Coles battled through the sweltering heat in Kuala Lumpur to lie just one shot off the lead in the Carlsberg Malaysian Open.

The 28-year-old carded a first round 68 to match the score of current Masters champion Vijay Singh.

Holland's Maarten Lafeber held a one stroke lead over the field after a 67 with Coles and Singh tied for second.

A shot further back were in-form New Zealander Michael Campbell, who birdied the last two holes for a 69, and Italian former Ryder Cup player Costantino Rocca.

For Coles it was just the start he wanted as he tries desperately to avoid a sixth visit to the dreaded qualifying school.

"It was a big disappointment to lose my card after two top 10 finishes earlier in the year," admitted Coles, who finished third at the qualifying school to retain his European Tour card.

"I played very poorly at the end of last year, I had a spell in the middle of the season when I was useless. Nobody wants to go back to the qualifying school and I'm getting into a bit of a habit so it would be nice to get a good start.

"Then you can pace yourself a bit more. Last year I went wherever I could, even when I was a reserve, and it probably tired me out."

Starting on the back nine, Coles went to the turn in 33 and after birdies at the first and second enjoyed a share of the lead.

"Unfortunately I was flagging at the end," he added. "It got so sticky out there at the end and I bogeyed the sixth but I was very pleased with the way I played."

Padraig Harrington had to settle for an opening two under par 70 after dropping shots at two of his last three holes, finishing alongside Wales' Stephen Dodd and Worthing's Gary Evans.

Singh was understandably happier with his opening effort that contained four birdies and no dropped shots.

"I played very solidly and did not miss too many shots," the Fijian said. "I hit every green and I'm very pleased with the way I started.

"It could have been one or two more under quite comfortably but it's only the first day. I'm not really worried about the leaderboard right now, I only start looking at that at the weekend.

"There were a lot of chances but the greens are very difficult. There was nothing wrong with my putting, it was mis-reading the greens. You have to know them well to see the undulations and the grain and you have to be very patient."

Former Open champion John Daly carded a level par 72 thanks to an eagle on the last after a steady round with just one birdie and three bogeys.

But Seve Ballesteros' woes continued, the 43-year-old Spaniard coming home in 42 in his opening 78, two shots worse than his 20-year-old nephew Raul.