Alor Gajah: S. Murthy equalled his career best low round on the opening day of the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour ASEAN A’Famosa Masters on Wednesday.

The veteran Murthy fired a bogey-free nine-under-par 63 to open up a four-stroke lead at the top of the leaderboard in the RM180,000 (US$60,000) event co-sanctioned with the ASEAN PGA Tour.

Thailand’s Philip Matsson traded six birdies with a bogey on 14th to settle for second place, ahead of locals Khor Kheng Hwai and Nicholas Pua, who took a share of third with matching 68s at A’Famosa Golf Resort.

A two-time winner on the ASEAN PGA Tour, Singaporean Mardan Mamat opened his campaign with a 69 to lie alongside Mohd Sukree Othman, Mohd Rizal Amin and Airil Rizman Zahari a further stroke adrift.

Murthy, who raised local hopes with an inspired display at the Maybank Malaysian Open in April before fading late on, attributed his recent run good run to a number of factors.

“I’ve been working hard even during the off-season and I’ve made a few changes to my swing and equipment (Srixon Z72 irons and Odyssey putter). I believe that this has all been part of why I am striking the ball so much better and putting with more confidence,” said the two-time PGM Tour winner.

A seasoned campaigner on the local front, Murthy said his new Srixon Z72 irons were crucial to this, as was a new Odyssey putter.

“I hit 17 greens today and made 26 putts,” added Murthy. “That tells me that my iron play was on the mark and I putted very well too. But I don’t want to get ahead of myself as I have to take each day as a tournament of its own,” added the 42-year-old.

Leading first round scores (Malaysian unless stated otherwise)
63 – S. Murthy
67 – Philip Matsson (THA)
68 – Nicholas Pua, Khor Kheng Hwai
69 – Mardan Mamat (SIN), Mohd Sukree Othman, Airil Rizman, Mohd Rizal Amin
70 – Rahizam Ramli, Shaifubari Muda, Kenneth De Silva