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On-song Dougherty storms to first-round lead in Malaysia

06/03/2008

England's Nick Dougherty produced a superb round of 62 to take a two-shot lead after the first round of the Malaysian Open.

The world number 51, who teed off from the tenth on the first day in Kuala Lumpur, birdied six of his first nine holes to reach the turn in just 30 shots.

And Dougherty looked on for a record round as he proceeded to grab four more birdies - seven straight on the 16th, 17th and 18th, then the first, second, third and fourth holes.

He failed to pick up any more shots through the final five holes, however, although his ten-under-par 62 ensured he finished clear of the field at the end of day one at the Kota Permai golf course.

Another Englishman, Simon Dyson, is tied for second after a bogey-free first round, with Australia's Marcus Fraser also on eight under par after carding nine birdies and one bogey.

A four-man group made up of home favourite Danny Chia, South Africa's Keith Horne, Denmark's Soren Kjeldsen and Argentina's Daniel Vancsik is a further shot back on seven under par.

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell is also still in touch on six under par, while countryman Darren Clarke finished the day on three under par after a solid round of 69.