Thai tames 'the Cobra'

Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee today made a brilliant start to the defence of his Carlsberg Malaysian Open title before a violent thunderstorm halted play.

Jaidee carded six birdies and an eagle in a first-round 64 to set a daunting clubhouse target of eight under par.

The former paratrooper became the first Thai player to win a European Tour event here 12 months ago, firing a hole in one on the 16th in the final round.

His round equalled the course record at Saujana’s Palm layout, known as ’The Cobra’, but will not count for record purposes due to the preferred lies in operation.

Sweden’s Niclas Fasth carried on from where he left off last week, the New Zealand Open winner recording a 67 to lie in second place alongside Australia’s Jarrod Moseley, Swede Pelle Edberg and Italian Emanuele Canonica.

Ryder Cup duo Paul McGinley and Miguel Angel Jimenez were a shot further back after rounds of 68.

Ireland’s Padraig Harrington was among the afternoon starters and was four under par after 13 holes before the storm forced the players off the course at 4pm local time.

McGinley was pleasantly surprised by his efforts in only his second tournament of the season, especially after an 18-hour flight from California where he finished 30th in the Pebble Beach pro-am won by Phil Mickelson.

The Dubliner underwent a knee operation in November last year and only started hitting balls again two weeks ago.

“I played well and I’m very pleased to get off to a good start,” said McGinley, who recovered from a double bogey on the fifth with an eagle on the seventh after a five-wood approach to 10 feet.

“It was very hot but I much prefer this to the wind and rain. The knee is swollen now but I have to expect that.”

Fasth carded four birdies and an eagle in his 67 but confessed: “I really did not play very well. I missed a lot of fairways and struggled a bit but hung in there and putted well.

“It’s a totally different golf course to last week and it’s not easy switching. I had two days to adjust and don’t think I quite made it.

“I played possibly the best golf I have ever played last week but it’s a new week and you are only a winner for a day or so.”