Westwood pulls clear in Jakarta after 65

The third-ranked Englishman opened his round with three consecutive birdies and added six more at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club, mixed with two bogeys.

Arnond Vongvanij of Thailand shot a bogey-free 67 to sit in second place.

A group of six golfers were another shot back in a tie for third, including Indian duo Jyoti Randhawa and Shiv Kapur.

Banchory’s James Byrne is eight shots off the lead after a 73, while Dubai-based Ross Bain, the other Scot in the field, struggled to a 77.

Westwood took last week off after finishing third at the Masters, and said he felt rejuvenated after getting some rest.

“I had a break last week and hardly hit any balls,” he said. “I played a lot of golf earlier this year and needed a rest.

“It was good to go home and recharge my batteries because the Masters always takes a lot out of you.”

Arnond had birdies on the second and third holes and added three more on the back nine.

“I feel that my game in the last couple of weeks have been really close to where I want it,” said the 23-year-old.

“I hit my driver fairly straight and didn’t get into too much trouble.”

Three-time Asian Tour champion Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand had a disappointing start, making four bogeys and one double bogey on his way to a 75.

Asian Tour rookie Byrne had four birdies going out as he turned in 34, two-under, but dropped three shots on the back nine to sit joint-45th. Bain, who is languishing in a share of 115th, ran up a triple-bogey 7 at the fifth and also had a double-bogey 6 at the 14th.