Monty on song in Singapore

Colin Montgomerie made a superb start to his 2005 campaign as he claimed the early lead at the Caltex Masters in Singapore.

The Scot, defending champion at Laguna, shot seven birdies in his seven-under-par 65 to take a three-shot lead from English pair Nick Dougherty and Mark Foster and Malaysia’s Danny Chia.

Montgomerie did not drop a single shot in his round and finished strongly with birdies at the last two holes. Dougherty and Foster also enjoyed bogey-free rounds.

Danish pair Soren Hansen and Soren Kjeldsen were among a group of five players along with Martin Lafeber of Holland on three under.

Gary Murphy is best of the Irish on two under after the first round. Graeme McDowell and Peter Lawrie are both on two over, while Damien McGrane is on par after nine holes.