Kuala Lumpur: Rookie professional Michelle Koh held on in an exercise of damage limitation as she finished as the leading Malaysian after the opening round of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia on Thursday.

The 24-year-old got her campaign underway with a round of one-over 72 at the East Course of Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club to lie in a share of 55th alongside four others.

The pair of Ainil Johani Abu Bakar and Aretha Pan Herng were a shot back while the nation’s sole representative on the LPGA, Kelly Tan battled through nerves to return with a three-over 74. Debutant Michele Low was a further stroke adrift alongside a struggling Jean Chua on matching 75s in the US$2 million tournament.

Despite a solid start with an opening birdie, Koh conceded three bogeys mid-way through the first nine before recovering with a gain on the ninth to make the turn on three-over. She toured the back nine on level-par.

“I’ve got to say that I got a little bit too technical on the golf course in the beginning. Had a good start but started leaning into the technicalities midway and I got carried away. Fortunately, I saved a couple of crucial strokes, got the comeback, hit it good and managed another birdie to close the first nine,” said the Kuantan lass, who plies her trade on the China LPGA Tour.

“I did give myself a lot of opportunities [on the back nine], hitting it pretty decently close but didn’t make any birdies. I just have to go out tomorrow and realise those chances,” she added.

Kelly, meanwhile lamented two costly double bogeys either side of the turn as she failed to get clicking, despite having a voracious gallery decked in matching t-shirts urging her on.

“Played solid all day but the the first and eleventh holes definitely cost me. On the first, I just felt a little unnerved and it took me a while to get over it and before I knew it, I had dropped three shots in as many holes. I managed to recover and began striking the ball confidently but suffered another unlucky break on the 11th when I failed to get the ball out of the fairway bunker cleanly,” said the 21-year-old Johorean.

“I need to try to get into my own zone earlier. My putting could be better but I need to make the putts when it matters,” added Tan.