Thaworn Wirachant leads as bad weather hits - Maybank Malaysian Open 2006

Thai star Thaworn Wiratchant stole the early thunder to take the clubhouse lead in the weather-disrupted first round at the US$1.25 million Maybank Malaysian Open on Thursday.

Thaworn, last season's Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, carded a terrific seven-under-par 65 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club and leads by one-stroke from Irishman Gary Murphy, Francesco Molinari of Italy, Richard Finch of England and Welshman Garry Houston.

Spanish Ryder Cup ace Miguel Angel Jimenez was in blazing form as he moved to eight under par through 17 holes before darkness halted play. A two-hour 45 minute suspension in the afternoon because of a lightning storm will mean that 63 players will return on Friday morning to complete their first rounds.

India's Jyoti Randhawa, a five-time winner in Asia, kept Thaworn company on the leaderboard as he started strongly with a 68 and was matched by compatriot Gaurav Ghei, promising Thai talent Prom Meesawat, Chinese Taipei veteran Lu Wen-teh and former Malaysian Open champion Gerry Norquist of the United States.

Irishman Padraig Harrington, looking to break his jinx of not winning in Malaysia despite two runner-up finishes, began his campaign with a 69 as he was overshadowed by playing partner Thaworn.

Two-time defending champion Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand was two-under through 17 while Australian Adam Le Vesonte was five under through 12 holes.

Bad weather halted play from 2.51pm but Thaworn was safely in the clubhouse with a sparkling round. He conquered the greens with eight birdies against a lone bogey on his last hole, the ninth.

Starting from the 10th, the 39-year-old birdied all the par fives and converted numerous other putts from between 10 to 20 feet. His only blemish of the day came at his last hole when he missed the green. “It was a good day for me. It is my best round so far this year. Every time I get into a competition, I am confident, but it's not every time that I am able to do well. So I'm happy with my score,” said Thaworn, who holds the most number of wins in Asia with eight titles.

“I managed to produce a string of birdies and I am definitely very satisfied,” added Thaworn, who is currently ranked sixth in the UBS Order of Merit.

Randhawa, runner-up behind Thongchai last year, blasted six birdies but a lapse of concentration proved costly as he dropped bogeys on the sixth and 15th holes. However he was pleased to have played without any ill effects of the injury he sustained in a motorbike accident several weeks ago. “The way I hit the ball today, I thought I could make 66 or better. But I made two silly mistakes for bogeys. It's the first round though, so I'll take a 68,” said Randhawa, who was grouped with Thaworn and Harrington.

Randhawa, Asia 's number one in 2002, predicted that Thaworn could well contend strongly this week. “He (Thaworn) putted like a demon. I've not seen any better putting on these greens. It's a putting competition this week and whoever putts well will do very well. Thaworn did really good, he's always a good putter and it could be tough to catch him.

“In the last two days, I still had some aches and pains (in the ribs) but today, it didn't come to my mind at all. I didn't think about it, I was just flawless, I focused much better and there was no more pain. That was good for me.”

Harrington was delighted with his first competitive round in nine weeks as he stayed bogey free and rolled in three birdies. “I did not swing it very well for the first 14 holes. I had gone back to my old ways despite all the hard work I'd done, but over the last four holes I got back into it and made some really nice swings, so I am very happy about that,” said the Ryder Cup star.

“There is still plenty of work to be done, but no bogey in the first round is always a good start. I would have liked to have holed a few more putts to be right in there, but I am not going to complain as a 69 is never really a problem. Bar the first hole I was never in any trouble,” said Harrington, who birdied the 12th, 17th and 18th holes.

Jimenez, who won two titles on the European Tour last season, got off to a flying start with birdies in the first two holes on the front nine followed by an eagle in the par five 516 yards third hole. He then birdied the 10th, 14th, 15th, and 16th holes before play was suspended due to fading light.

The Spaniard was disappointed he failed to complete his round. “I would have preferred to have finished and have a half hour extra in bed in the morning … that is the best half an hour always!”said Jimenez. “I played very well, very solid tee to green and was quite good on the greens as well.

M. Sasidaran was the best Malaysian player on day one after a fine 70 while Englishman Ross Fisher enjoyed the pleasure of shooting the Maybank Malaysian Open's first hole in one on the par three 146 yards fourth hole with a pitching wedge.

Welshman Stephen Dodd , Sweden 's Fredrik Widmark and Australian Gary Simpson share sixth place after matching 67s.