Thongchai off to flying start

Defending champion Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand retained his three-shot lead at the Malaysian Open after the storm-delayed opening round was completed on Friday morning.

A total of 45 players returned to the Saujana course to finish off their first rounds after a violent electrical storm forced a two-hour delay to play on Thursday.

Thongchai carded an eight-under-par 64 before the rain came to forge a comfortable advantage after 18 holes.

Swedish pair Niclas Fasth and Pelle Edberg, Australian duo Jarrod Moseley and Terry Pilkadaris and Italy's Emanuele Canonica are tied for second on five-under-par 67.

A group of seven players, including Ireland's Paul McGinley, Denmark's Thomas Bjorn, England's Simon Dyson and Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez, are one shot further back on four-under.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington, at eight the highest world-ranked player in the field, carded a 71.

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