Duo share lead in Singapore

Australia’s Marcus Fraser and China’s Liang Wen-chong topped the leaderboard at the Clariden Leu Singapore Masters today after opening rounds of eight-under-par 64 at Laguna National Golf Club.

The pair set the pace by firing eight birdies each in bogey-free rounds on the Classic course to finish the day one shot ahead of Scotland’s Barry Hume, Shingo Katayama of Japan and Jyoti Randhawa of India.

Liang reached the mark first after a blistering stretch in the middle of his round, which saw him fire eight birdies in 11 holes from the fifth.

“I played well on the first nine and, after firing three birdies, I was a bit more relaxed heading to the last nine holes,” said the 28-year-old.

“I carried my momentum into the back nine and I’m pleased with my overall first-round performance.”

Fraser matched Liang’s 64 late in the afternoon, finishing his round with a flourish by chipping in from 40 feet for birdie at the 18th.

“I couldn’t be happier,” said the Australian, who has missed the cut in six of his seven events in 2007.

“I just did everything well today. I hit a lot of wedge shots in good and apart from a couple of wayward drives my driving was pretty good.

“It was pretty consistent. I didn’t make anything long but the chip-in at the last just topped off a great day.”

Ireland’s Peter Lawrie, England's Graeme Storm, Angelo Que of the Philippines, Australia's Mark Brown and Germany’s Martin Kaymer were a further shot behind on six under as all of the day’s top 14 scores came on the 7,099-yard Classic course.

Lee Westwood and David Howell failed to take full advantage. Westwood had four birdies and two bogeys for a two-under 70 while Howell was a further shot behind on one under.

Defending champion Mardan Mamat of Singapore was one of five players to record the day’s best score of 68 on the more difficult Masters course, which will be utilised for weekend play after the halfway cut is made tomorrow.

Mamat’s score was emulated by Simon Yates of Scotland, Gaurav Ghei of India, New Zealand’s Richard Lee and France’s Jean Van De Velde.

Nick Dougherty, the champion in 2005 and runner-up last year, began with a two-under 70 on the Masters but his playing partners, Ireland’s Darren Clarke and Johnnie Walker Classic winner Anton Haig, did not fare as well with 74s.