Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant stormed ahead with an opening nine-under-par 61 to take the clubhouse lead after the first round of the ISPS Handa Singapore Classic was suspended due to darkness on Thursday.
Korean-American David Lipsky continued his fine run in his rookie season with a polished 63 to take second place while Sam Cyr of the United States returned with a 66 to take a share of third place with Malaysia's Shaaban Hussin at Orchid Country Club.
Chinese Taipei's Lu Wei-chih, who recorded the event's first hole-in-one on the 13th hole, is at four-under through 12 holes with American Jonathan Moore, who has nine holes to play at the US$400,000 full field Asian Tour event.
Thunderstorms in the afternoon forced two lengthy play suspensions that stretched over three hours. As a result, all 78 players from the afternoon session could not complete their rounds and will have to return at 7.30am (local time) to tee up again.
Thaworn, a 12-time Asian Tour winner, would have set a course record if not for the preferred lies ruling which was in force today.
The Thai veteran, who teed off in the back-nine, got off to a strong start with two birdies in his opening three holes.
He marked his card with another birdie on the par-four 17th before carding his lone bogey at the 18th hole to turn in 32.
The 45-year-old then showed his mettle when he blitzed the front-nine with seven birdies to return home in 61, which is the 2012 season's lowest 18-hole score so far.
"There was never any pressure for me out there. When I stepped up to the tee today, I was already feeling very confident and I had a good feeling about my round today," said Thaworn.
"This course suits my game and I'm looking forward to the rest of the week."
golf365.com