Jeev Milkha Singh, seeking a third straight tournament victory, and Shiv Kapur, the title-holder, fired 72s after overcoming sluggish starts at the US $650,000 Volvo Masters of Asia at Thai Country Club in Bangkok on Thursday.
The duo were five strokes adrift of leader Prayad Marksaeng, who shot a sizzling five-under-par 67, as the Thai contingent dominated the Asian Tour's grand finale on the opening day.
Jeev, who has already wrapped up the UBS Order of Merit crown after a spectacular season which saw him win four times around the world, battled back from being three over par through 13 holes for the level par finish.
"I am happy with my first round today because I got it back to even par. It was a bit of a roller coaster ride for me today. My focus was not there. I wasn't that sharp that is why I made some mistakes. I am level par and have another three days left," he said.
Kapur had conquered the course with some exquisite shot-making on his way to victory last year but could not repeat the feat in an up and down opening round.
He had three bogeys in the opening five holes before recovering well on the back nine to finish with a level par 72, five strokes adrift of the leader.
"Overall, it was not a good day. I got off to a bad start (with three bogeys in the opening five holes). I tried to stick in there and in the end managed to shoot even par (thanks to two birdies in the last five holes). That keeps me in there with a chance," said Kapur, who is currently ranked eighth on the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit.
Kapur laid the blame for his disappointing start on his chipping and putting, but felt there was nothing much wrong with his game.
"My short game was not really up to the mark today. I could not get it up and down. My swing felt good all the way through so that is positive. A bit of work on my chipping this afternoon and I should be okay," he said.
"The wind was strong today and the greens are firming up which makes it tough to get close to the pins, especially when they are at the front of the green."
Despite his relatively poor start, Kapur was full of praise for the Thai Country Club course which the players admitted was set up tougher than last year.
"For a first day the pins were tough," said Kapur. "But that is how it should be for a Tour Championship. Anytime you miss the greens you have your work cut out to make par which is the mark of a good golf course."
Marksaeng put aside his disappointment of missing his US PGA Tour card at qualifying school earlier this month with a stylish display, sinking six birdies against a lone bogey.
He led by one stroke from compatriot and former champion Thongchai Jaidee and Prom Meesawat, ranked second on the UBS Order of Merit.
Former Asian number one Lin Keng-chi of Chinese Taipei and Australian Terry Pilkadaris, who got out from his sick bed to shoot five birdies, also ended the day one back of the leader after matching 68s.
Chapchai Nirat and Chawalit Plaphol, also from Thailand, were a further stroke back and were matched by Korean Lee Sung, Chinese Taipei's Lu Wei-chih and Wang Ter-chang, Malaysia's Iain Steel, Australian Adam Groom and Englishman Chris Rodgers.
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