Kuala Lumpur: Host Malaysia found the going tough after trailing five shots behind defending champion Myanmar at the conclusion of  round one of the 2nd Etiqa ASEAN Cup at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club today.

The Malaysian pair of Kenneth De Silva and Tan Wei Chean could only manage an opening round of 73 in the fourball format to lie fourth among the six South East nations participating in the four-day tournament.

The Myanmar pairing of Myo Win Aung and Maung Maung Oo were eager to get a good start to their title defence and managed to do so with a solid round of 68 to lead Singapore’s Jerome Ng and Marc Ong by one stroke. The Thai duo of Pachara Sakulyong and Nirun Sae-Ueng were three shots off the lead on 71.

The format of play for tomorrow’s round two will be foursomes (alternate shot).

First round scores
68 Myanmar (Myo Win Aung & Maung Maung Oo)
69 Singapore (Jerome Ng & Marc Ong)
71 Thailand (Panchara Sakulyong & Nirun Sae-Ung)
73 Malaysia (Kenneth Christian de Silva & Tan Wei Chean)
74 Cambodia (Seng Vanseiha & Patrick Tom)
79 Philippines (Clyde Mondilla & Reymon Jaraula)