Asian players lead the way

India's Arjun Atwal fired a seven-under-par 65 to lead the Benson and Hedges Malaysian Open by one shot from China's Zhang Lian-Wei after the opening round at Kuala Lumpur's Templer Park on Thursday.

Four players are tied for third, two shots adrift, including Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee, Welshman Mark Mouland, and Steen Tinning of Denmark.

South African Retief Goosen, one of the pre-tournament favourites, lies three strokes off the early pace in joint seventh place after carding a 68 in this co-sanctioned event with the Asian PGA.

The big-hitting Goose slipped up at the 428-yard par-four last hole where he dropped a shot to finish level for the day with England's Andrew Butterfield and Ireland Ryder Cup player Padraig Harrington.

Atwal, 26, who won the Wills Indian Open in Calcutta last year, blazed five birdies on his back nine after picking up four shots on his outward loop to stay ahead of the 34-year-old Lian-Wei. The Chinese player's last win was the Hugo Boss Open on the Volvo China Tour in 1997.

Great Britain and Ireland Walker up winner Simon Dyson shot a two-under-par 70 and he heads a list of more illustrious Europeans. Scot Andrew Coltart and Englishman Justin Rose both returned level-par 72s while two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer finished on one-over-par.

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