Shah Alam: Australian Andrew Dodt took advantage of a hot start to sign for an opening nine-under-par 63 and grab the clubhouse lead by two shots at the weather-disrupted Malaysia Open yesterday.
After two opening birdies, the 34-year-old Dodt added a birdie on the sixth and an eagle-three on seventh to turn in 31. He nailed four more birdies on his way home to take his place atop the leaderboard just before play got suspended at 5.55pm local time due to lightning threats.
Dodt, who endured two missed cuts in his first three starts this season, was thrilled to regain his fine form in Malaysia, where he had sensationally claimed his third Asian Tour victory in Sarawak last August following a two-month injury layoff.
Reigning Asian Development Tour Order of Merit champion Naoki Sekito of Japan closed with three consecutive birdies to sit in second place at the US$1 million event, which is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).
Thai duo Phachara Khongwatmai and Pavit Tangkamolprasert returned with matching 66s, thanks to their respective front and back-nine 30s, to share third place with Taiwan's Chang Wei-lun and Bjorn Hellgren of Sweden.
Mohammad Wafiyuddin emerged as the best-placed Malaysian after carding a commendable 68 to tie in 13th place at the award-winning Kota Permai Golf & Country Club, which last hosted the storied event in 2008.
A total of 51 players will resume their opening rounds at 7.40am on Friday with the second round slated to start at 7.50am.
Royal's Cup postponed
The Royal's Cup 2020 scheduled to be played at the Grand Prix Golf Club in Kanchanaburi next week has been postponed due to ongoing Covid-19 concerns.
The continued health concerns and advisories from the Thailand health authorities led to the inaugural event being postponed to a later date.
"The Asian Tour and the event promoter -- Grand Prix International -- have decided to postpone the Royal's Cup 2020 on the advice of the health authorities of Thailand," Asian Tour's Commissioner and CEO, Cho Minn Thant, said in a statement.