Mardan Mamat of Singapore and Japan's Daisuke Kataoka overcame gusty winds to post seven-under-par 65s and share the opening round lead at the Resorts World Manila Masters golf tournament on Thursday.
Three-time Asian tour winner Mardan, 47, hit all but one green in regulation for eight birdies against a lone bogey.
"It's always nice to come back to the Philippines," said the veteran, who won the Philippine Open in 2012.
Kataoka, 26, needed only 25 putts in a seven-birdie round to put himself in contention for a maiden Asian tour victory.
"My tee shots were always on the fairway and second shots were always on the green. And my putting was very good. I had good touch today," he said.
Leading scores after the first round at the par-72 Manila Southwoods course:
65 -- Mardan Mamat(SIN), Daisuke Kataoka (JPN)
66 -- Danny Chia (MAS), Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA)
67 -- Terry Pilkadaris (AUS), Juvic Pagunsan (PHI), Anthony Kang (USA), Sam Brazel (AUS), Hung Chien-yao (TPE)
68 -- Wang Jeung-hun (KOR), Lu Wen-teh (TPE), Paul Peterson (USA), Antonio Lascuna (PHI), Himmat Rai (IND)
Source: AFP
