Matthew Millar
Matthew Millar of Australia shot a round of 63 on Thursday to take an early lead in the Indonesia PGA Championship, breaking the course record with his nine-under-par score to finish three shots clear of fellow Australian Matthew Griffin, who carded a 66 at Imperial Klub Golf, outside Jakarta, in the $1 million season opening tournament for OneAsia.
Hiroshi Iwata of Japan and Australians Andre Stolz and Chris Campbell shot 67s on the par 72 course.
"I am very, very happy with that. Played really well up until the last hole where I had a complete misunderstanding with my caddie which was my fault," said Millar.
"I took the wrong club and the wrong line. I was lucky not to go into the water and was pleased to make par," added the 34-year-old.
Millar carded 10 birdies including six in a row from the sixth.
At 10 under after 14 he looked set to clear the round with a 59 but he made his only bogey of the day on the 15th.
"I have been playing pretty well recently but the last couple of days I wouldn't say it was really on or anything," he said.
"I have never shot 10 under before and on the last three or four holes that definitely got in the way a little bit."
"You are not really supposed to think about your score but I had it to 10 under and the pressure was on. I have shot nine under probably a dozen times now. It is a bit disappointing not to get to 10," he added.
Griffin, ranked the number three amateur in the world before turning professional in 2008, also toured the front nine in six-under-par 30 with four birdies and an eagle on the ninth.
China's Liang Wenchong, who won twice last year on his way to winning the OneAsia Order of Merit, fired a 70.
Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng and Michael Hendry from New Zealand, winner of last year's Indonesia Open, also carded 70s.
Thaworn Wiratchant from Thailand, Australian Kim Felton and Korea's Bae Sang-moon returned 71s.
Korean star Kim Dae-hyun was the only top player to struggle and surprisingly came in with a 78.
Rory Hie ended the day as the leading Indonesian after a 68 on the course where he won The International Championship on the ASEAN PGA Tour in 2008.
The Indonesia PGA Championship is the first of 13 events in the 2011 OneAsia season.