62s put Molinari and Morrison into lead

Italy’s Edoardo Molinari and Englishman James Morrison made the most of ideal scoring conditions to fire matching nine-under par 62s for a share of the lead after the opening round of the Barclays Singapore Open.

On a still day at the Sentosa Golf Club, Molinari and Morrison coped well with the sweltering conditions to register ten birdies apiece on the easier Tanjong Course at the $6 million co-sanctioned event.

The Italian’s lone bogey, on the ninth, ended a run of four birdies in his opening eight holes but an inward six-under 29 took him a stroke clear of South Korea’s Y.E. Yang, who completed a bogey-free 63.

Morrison went out later in the afternoon and was set to take sole possession of the lead until a bogey at the par-3 16th stalled his charge following a run of five birdies in six holes.

Colin Montgomerie is the leading Scot after a four-under 67 which included an eagle and four birdies, while Richie Ramsay, third in his last two events, opened with a 69.

James Byrne, who got an invitation to the event, shot a 70, one fewer than pre-qualifier Steven O’Hara, while Stephen Gallacher and Paul Lawrie shot 73 and 76 respectively. Lawrie, who had a stiff neck earlier in the week, had an eight on his card.