INQUIRER Sports

JAKARTA -- Singapore's Lam Chih Bing hit seven-under-par 65 to take the first-round lead in the inaugural Mercedes-Benz Masters Indonesia on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old nailed eight birdies to lead by two strokes from Thailand's Panuwat Muenlek and Sirapong Maitreeyuenyong in the Asean Tour season opener.

Lam changed to a new driver at the start of the week and it paid dividends as he drove the ball beautifully at the par-72 Emeralda Golf and Country Club near Jakarta.

"I have been spraying the ball around a bit off the tee this year but today was very good. I had a really good practice round and it clicked again today," he said.

Malaysia's Danny Chia, who won the season-opening event last year, carded a 68, along with top Filipino Tony Lascuna.

Filipino Angelo Que, who claimed the Philippine Open last month, came in with a 70 while his compatriot Mars Pucay fired a 73.

Lam won the Indian Tour's Bilt Open in November and the Singapore PGA Championship in January. In March he qualified for the British Open at the 36-hole qualifier in Singapore.

Leading first-round scores:

65 -- Lam Chih Bing (SIN)

67 -- Panuwat Muenlek (THA), Sirapong Maitreeyuenyong (THA)

68 -- Mohd Sukree Othman (MAS), Danny Chia (MAS), Tony Lascuna (PHI)

69 -- Jay Bayron (PHI), Rashid Ismail (MAS), Pijit Petchkasem (THA)

70 -- Angelo Que (PHI), Borwon Chaisri (INA), Sanusi (INA), Ilyasak (INA), Somchai Pongpaew (THA)