Chris Paisley overcame brutally humid conditions in Malaysia to post a 7-under 65, good for the clubhouse lead after a weather-delayed first day of the Maybank Championship.
The Englishman, who captured his maiden title three weeks ago in South Africa, and followed it up with two-straight top 5s in the UAE, continued his hot play at Saujana Golf & Country Club, signing for a bogey-free round with seven birdies.
“It was great and nice to keep the form going. I just played really solid, hit it well off the tee so gave myself a lot of wedges and short irons into the greens which were really good and gave myself a lot of birdie chances, couldn’t have gone better,” said Paisley.
“It’s very hot and not much wind, so scoring wise it is quite easy but to keep your focus is quite difficult with how tiring the heat is but it is good fun.”
Another Englishman, David Horsey, shot 6-under 66 to sit solo-second, one shot clear of compatriot Andrew Johnston, last year’s runner-up David Lipksy, India’s Arjun Atwal, South Korean Soomin Lee and the French duo of Alexander Levy and Romain Wattel, who all finished with 67s.
Storm threats suspended play at 3:40 p.m. with 40 players still on the course. The first round will resume Friday morning.
TOP 10: ROUND 1
1 Chris Paisley -7
2 David Horsey -6
3 Andrew Johnston -5
3 David Lipsky -5
3 Arjun Atwal -5
3 Romain Wattel -5
3 Alexander Levy -5
8 Ryan Fox -4
8 Chris Hanson -4
10 (13) Players tied -3
STAT OF THE DAY
Going back to his win at the BMW SA Open, stretching 13 rounds, the 31-year old Paisley is 55 under.
BMW South African Open -21 (1st)
Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship -17 (T5)
Omega Dubai Desert Classic -17 (5th)
Maybank Championship -7 (1st) (18 holes)
TOTAL: 55-under par
SHOT OF THE DAY
Lee Westwood with a Seve-like hybrid punch shot from a messy position.
QUOTABLE
“It’s very hot and not much wind, so scoring wise it is quite easy but to keep your focus is quite difficult with how tiring the heat is but it is good fun.”
– Chris Paisley
Credits: European Tour Media, Getty Images
