Malaysian Open: Stephen Gallacher in the mix as South African duo make flying start

LOUIS Oosthuizen shrugged off the disappointment of his Masters play-off defeat to Bubba Watson to make a strong start at the Malaysian Open today.

Former Open champion Oosthuizen, who narrowly missed out on his second major crown at Augusta on Sunday, showed no signs of a mental hangover as he shot six birdies and an eagle in an opening-round 66.

His close friend and playing partner Charl Schwartzel held the clubhouse lead midway through the first day with a sparkling 64.

Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher is one of three players in a tie for fifth after a 67.

Schwartzel, like fellow South African Oosthuizen, had a 30-hour journey from the United States to Kuala Lumpur - he handed over the green jacket to Watson after winning the event last year - and was relieved to have felt few ill-effects.

“I felt surprisingly good today,” Schwartzel said. “I got a good night’s sleep and woke up this morning before the alarm.

“The tiredness seems to catch me more in the afternoon than the morning so it felt pretty good. I’ll go back this afternoon and get some rest.

“I played very well today. It has been some time coming now because I have been working really hard for the last couple of months and I haven’t had anything happen for me. It has been feeling good for a long time but given me nothing but I seemed to put it all together and eight under was a good score for me.

“It could have been one or two lower as I missed a couple of chances towards the end there but I am happy with 64 - I haven’t shot a number like that for a while.”

India’s Jeev Milkha Singh is second after an opening 65, one shot ahead of Oosthuizen and American Jason Knutzon.