Lahiri leads, Chowrasia tied second in Malaysia

Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri enjoyed a birdie binge en route to a seven-under-par 64 for a two-shot lead over compatriot S.S.P. Chowrasia, who shares the second position with Chinese Taipei's Chan Yin-Shin, after the first round of the Selangor Masters here Thursday.

The 27-year-old Lahiri, currently second on the Asian Tour's Order of Merit, sank 10 birdies against three bogeys at the par-71 Seri Selangor Golf Club to put himself in prime position for a second win of the season.

Chowrasia carded 66 to share second place with Yih-shin while his compatriot Hung Chien-yao scored 67 for fourth place in the $410,000 event.

Malaysia's Shaaban Hussin emerged as the best home player, firing 68 to share fifth position with Australian rookie Cameron Smith, Thailand's Sattaya Supupramai and Chapchai Nirat and American Berry Henson.

An in-form Lahiri, who finished tied fourth in Taipei last weekend and was runner-up here last season, was delighted with his start.

"I'm really happy with how I played. I got off to a good start and made a couple of good putts. It could have been even better. I missed some short putts but I hit it really good," said Lahiri, who is a four-time Tour winner.

Playing alongside current Merit leader David Lipsky, who carded a 72, the Indian only missed three fairways and three greens as he had to negotiate swirling winds in the afternoon session.

Chowrasia also enjoyed a sparkling outward 30 with five birdies before coming home with two more birdies against two bogeys.

"I started very well but struggled a bit on the back nine. This is a short but very tricky course. You always have to place the ball in the right spots," said Chowrasia, who is currently 10th on the Order of Merit.

Leaderboard:

64 - Anirban Lahiri (IND)

66 - S.S.P. Chowrasia (IND), Chan Yih-shin (TPE)

67 - Hung Chien-yao (TPE)

68 - Cameron Smith (AUS), Adam Groom (AUS), Mathiam Keyser (RSA), Sattaya Supupramai (THA), Shaaban Hussin (MAS), Chapchai Nirat (THA)

69 - Chan Kim (USA), Zaw Moe (MYN), Park Byung-joo (KOR), Jay Bayron (PHI), Thammanoon Sriroj (THA), Sam Cyr (USA), Chinnarat Phadungsil (THA), Kieran Pratt (AUS), Paul Peterson (USA), Rattanon Wannasrichan (THA)

70 - Sukree Othman (MAS), Anthony Kang (USA), Jazz Janewattananond (THA), Chris Gaunt (AUS), Md. Iylia Jamil (MAS), Jack Munro (AUS), Wang Jeung-hun (KOR), Simon Griffiths (ENG), Scott Barr (AUS), George Gandranata (INA), Lionel Weber (FRA), Thaworn Wiratchant (THA), Marcus Both (AUS), Antonio Lascuna (PHI), Chiragh Kumar (IND), Mars Pucay (PHI).