Defending champion Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell shared the clubhouse lead midway through the opening round of the Maybank Malaysian Open.
In breezy conditions at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, the Ryder Cup team-mates carded matching six under par rounds of 66.
Former World Number One Westwood romped to a seven shot victory at this venue last year, and carded four birdies in an outward 32 after starting at the tenth.
A further gain followed at the long third, but the 41 year old dropped his only shot of the day after missing a five footer at the sixth.
With 23 European Tour titles to his name and some good form behind him following a top ten finish in Dubai last week, it was little surprise to see Westwood respond with birdies from six feet at the seventh and 20 feet at the ninth.
“I putted very nicely and started the ball on line well,” said Westwood. “I left a couple short in the middle when I was fooled by the grain, but overall I’m very happy. It’s probably the toughest I’ve ever seen this golf course play.”
Former US Open winner McDowell also started on the back nine, and having picked up shots at the tenth, 15th and 17th, started for home with consecutive gains.
Like Westwood he dropped his only shot at the sixth after failing to get up and down from in front of the green, but the Northern Irishman matched Westwood’s birdies at the seventh and ninth for a share of the lead.
The 35 year old would have led outright but for missing a five foot chance in between at the short eighth after a tremendous tee shot.
“I’m pretty happy,” said McDowell, who was also inseparable from Westwood last weekend when both were tied for ninth in Dubai. “I hit the ball great today - drove it well and gave myself a lot of looks for birdie.
“Generally I’m very, very happy with that start. I’ve liked the way this golf course looks from the start and I enjoyed playing it this morning with good company from the boys; it’s a solid start.”
The pair led by one form England’s Tommy Fleetwood, who holed a lengthy birdie putt at the eighth in his round of 67, and home favourite Danny Chia.
Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley was among those on three under after an impressive round of 69 in his first outing of the 2015 season.
