Thongchai Jaidee, of Thailand, made a dream start to the defence of his Carlsberg Malaysian Open title before a violent thunderstorm derailed the challenge of some of his closest contenders - including Padraig Harrington.
Jaidee, who became the first Thai player to win a European Tour event here 12 months ago, carded six birdies and an eagle in a first-round 64 to set the clubhouse target on eight under par.
His round equalled the course record at Saujana’s Palm layout, known as “the Cobra”, but will not count for record purposes due to the preferred lies in operation.
Niclas Fasth, of Sweden, carried on from where he left off last week, the New Zealand Open winner recording a 67 to lie in second place alongside Jarrod Moseley, of Australia, Swede Pelle Edberg and Italian Emanuele Canonica.
Paul McGinley and Miguel Angel Jimenez, the Ryder Cup duo, were a shot further back after rounds of 68, alongside Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn and England’s Simon Dyson.
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Harrington was also four under after 13 holes before the storm forced the players off the course at 4pm local time. When play resumed two hours later he dropped three shots in his last four holes in the fading light and had to settle for a one-under-par 71. Forty-five players will complete their first round on Friday.
“I had a lot of chances to be honest,” admitted the 33-year-old world No 8. “I didn’t really take them and all in all it was not a good day. The delay didn’t do me any favours. It was a change of momentum, a bit unfortunate but these things happen.”
In contrast Jaidee, one of the early starters, enjoyed a flawless day with birdies at his first two holes from a combined distance of four feet.
“Everything was perfect today,” said Jaidee, who was given a diplomatic passport by the Thai prime minister last year following his historic win. “I had a good feeling coming into this week after working hard on my short irons and putting.”
McGinley was pleasantly surprised by his efforts in only his second tournament of the season, especially after an 18-hour flight from California where he finished 30th in the Pebble Beach pro-am won by Phil Mickelson.
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The Dubliner underwent a knee operation in November last year and only started hitting balls again two weeks ago.
“I played well and I’m very pleased to get off to a good start,” said McGinley, who recovered from a double bogey on the fifth with an eagle on the seventh after a five-wood approach to ten feet.
“It was very hot but I much prefer this to the wind and rain. The knee is swollen now but I have to expect that.”
Fasth carded four birdies and an eagle in his 67 but confessed: “I really did not play very well. I missed a lot of fairways and struggled a bit but hung in there and putted well.
“It’s a totally different golf course to last week and it’s not easy switching. I had two days to adjust and don’t think I quite made it.
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“I played possibly the best golf I have every played last week but it’s a new week and you are only a winner for a day or so.”
The most welcome performance of the day came from Moseley, seventh last week behind Fasth, who lost his card by just £9.39 last season after going into the final event 114th on the Order of Merit.
After missing the cut in the Madrid Open he had to watch as Richard Sterne, who won the tournament, Wade Ormsby and Robert Karlsson overtook him on the money list - Karlsson pipping Moseley despite finishing second last.
“I was happy to see the end of the year that’s for sure,” said Moseley, who regained his card through the qualifying school. “Last year the attitude wasn’t there.
“I had just had another baby and was back and forward to Australia. I couldn’t get anything going, technically I was poor and didn’t feel like being there.
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“I’m playing much better now after going to see an old coach of mine, Ross Metherell. I thought I’d go and see him and it’s a good thing I did.
“He said my swing wasn’t pretty and he’s tightened it up a little and it feels good.”