Storms blow Wiratchant's challengers off course

Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant shot a course record-equalling seven-under-par 65 to lead the opening round of the Maybank Malaysian Open by one stroke before an afternoon thunderstorm suspended play.

The Asian Tour Order of Merit winner was safely in the clubhouse before lightning activity in the vicinity, followed by a heavy downpour, brought the players off the course at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club with a return looking increasingly unlikely.

Wiratchant, starting at the 10th, began birdie-birdie and turned in 32 after picking up another two shots at the 17th and 18th.

Four birdies between the second and the seventh put the 39-year-old on track for the course record but he bogeyed his last hole, the 410-yard ninth.

That left him one ahead of Hull’s Richard Finch, Welshman Garry Houston, Ireland’s Gary Murphy and Italian Francesco Molinari.

Finch, 28, bogeyed the par-three 11th – his second hole – but five birdies in next seven holes, including four in a row to turn in 32.

Back-to-back birdies at the fourth and fifth in a bogey-free final nine holes saw him close with a 66.

Houston, beginning at the first, was three under after five holes but although he dropped a shot at the ninth he recovered remarkably with four birdies in a row and finished bogey-birdie for a share of second place.

Gary Murphy completed the back nine in four under and three birdies and only one bogey after the turn also brought him a round of 66.

Welshman Stephen Dodd posted a five-under 67, which included seven birdies and two bogeys, for joint sixth spot.

Pre-tournament favourite Padraig Harrington, in his first start of the year, had a promising start with three birdies – at the 12th, 17th and 18th – but could not capitalise on that after the turn as he played the next nine holes in regulation.

Highlight of the day was Ascot golfer Ross Fisher’s hole in one with a pitching wedge at the 146-yard fourth but he immediately carded a double-bogey seven at the next and finished alongside Harrington at three under after a mixed round which included four birdies and a bogey.