Storm makes strong start

Graeme Storm enjoyed a strong start at the Clariden Leu Singapore Masters today, carding a bogey-free six-under-par 66 to lie just two shots behind leader Liang Wen-Chong of China midway through the opening round.

Teeing off on the Classic course, one of two layouts being used this week at Laguna National Golf Club, the 28-year-old from Hartlepool picked up birdies at the second and fifth holes to reach the turn on two under.

Storm picked up pace on the back nine as he enjoyed a run of four consecutive birdies from the 12th to the 15th to finish his opening round on six under.

The Classic course was proving the easier of the two courses with many of the early leaders scoring well on the 7,099-yard layout.

Liang carded eight birdies there in his blemish-free round of 64 to hold a one-shot lead, which is co-sanction by the European and Asian Tours.

Liang, 28, who is seeking his first win on either tour, sits one shot ahead of Japanese player Shingo Katayama and Jyoti Randhawa of India, who are seven under, with Storm and Germany’s Martin Kaymer a stroke further back.