Kota Kinabalu: Hot favourite Nicholas Fung carded a four-under 68 to take a share of the lead after the opening round of the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Sabah Classic.

After a flawless front nine highlighted by four birdies, the defending champion mixed a birdie against a bogey at the Sabah Golf & Country Club to stake a strong claim for the title in the RM200,000 event alongside S. Sivachandhran.

Two shots behind was reigning Order of Merit winner R. Nachimuthu while Sarawakian Kalana Ibrahim posted a positive one-under 71. Local junior amateur Solomon Rosidin almost stole the thunder, circling the tract with an even-par 72 to tie more seasoned professional Haziq Hamizan and qualifier M. Rusli Johari for fifth placing.

Fung, who completed a unique East Malaysian double last year when he claimed both the Sabah and Sarawak legs of the burgeoning domestic circuit, was confident of repeating his success on his home course. ““This is where I started playing golf, so I will definitely utilise that advantage to win again,” said the 22-year-old.

Sivachandhran, who has struggled to impose himself in the opening five events, hoped that he can rediscover his winning touch.“I hope to do well in the next three rounds. The prize fund on offer this week will make the a difference in terms of where I stand on the Order of Merit,”  said the sole local winner of a Asian Development Tour event last year.

Leading first round scores (A denotes amateur)
68 – Nicholas Fung; S. Sivachandhran
70 – R. Nachimuthu
71 – Kalana Ibrahim
72 – Haziq Hamizan; M. Rusli Johari; Soloman Rosidin (A)
73 – S. Murthy; Lam Yu Shuen; P. Gunasegaran; Zurie Harun