Yangon [MYANMAR]: National number one Danny Chia got his campaign at the Leopalace21 Myanmar Open off to flying start with a sublime seven-under 65 in Thursday’s opening round.

Chia held the morning lead at the Royal Mingalardon Golf and Country Club before being overtaken by Filipino veteran Antonio Lascuna, who needed just 29 putts in a commanding eight-under 64.

India’s S.S.P. Chawrasia posted a 66 to take a share of third place with Japan’s Azuma Yano, Canada’s Richard T. Lee, South Africa’s Shaun Norris, Korea’s Jeunghun Wang and Australia’s Sam Brazel at the US$750,000 event, which is also the richest sporting event in Myanmar.

The other Malaysian in the fray, Nicholas Fung, stayed within touching distance of the lead with a four-under 68.

Chia continued his resurgence on the region’s premier Tour when he went out quickly with four birdies to turn in 32.

The 43-year-old, who ended his 13 year winless streak on the Asian Tour with his win in Taipei last October, then cruised home with another three birdies for an inward 33.

“My iron shots were probably the key for me today. I didn’t hit that many fairways but I recovered well with my wedge shots and my irons.

“I’ve been working on my wedge shots with my coach last week. We talked about several things including how to control my emotions on the golf course. It was good today,” said the two-time Asian Tour winner.

Leading first round scores (Par-72)
64 – Antonio Lascuna (PHI)
65 – Danny Chia (MAS)
66 – Azuma Yano (JPN), Shaun Norris (RSA), S.S.P. Chawrasia (IND), Richard T. Lee (CAN), Jeunghun Wang (KOR), Sam Brazel (AUS)
67 – Prayad Marksaeng (THA), Rashid Khan (IND), Younghan Song (KOR), Miguel Tabuena (PHI)
68 – Dodge Kemmer (USA), Thanyakon Khrongpha (THA), Narutoshi Yamaoka (JPN), Angelo Que (PHI), Yusaku Miyazato (JPN), Yoshinori Fujimoto (JPN), Himmat Rai (IND), Nicholas Fung (MAS), Naomi Ohta(JPN), Chapchai Nirat (THA), Shiv Kapur (IND), Yosuke Asaji (JPN), Arjun Atwal (IND), Ryuichi Oda (JPN), Seunghyuk Kim (KOR)