Charl Schwartzel began his first tournament since handing over the Green Jacket in fine style as he charged into the first round clubhouse lead at the Maybank Malaysian Open.
The 27 year old, who made a 30-hour journey to get to Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club after Bubba Watson ended his reign as Masters Tournament champion on Sunday, carded an eight under par 64.
That put him one ahead of India’s Jeev Milkha Singh, with Schwartzel’s compatriot and playing partner Louis Oosthuizen joining American Jason Knutzon in third on six under.
It was an incredible display by the former Open Champion from South Africa, who came so close to claiming a second Major Championship at Augusta National.
Schwartzel started on the back nine and three birdies and a bogey saw him turn in 33 before he struck his approach to the first to within three feet.
That sparked a run of five gains in seven holes for a brilliant inward 31 as Schwartzel looks for his first victory since becoming a Major Champion 12 months ago.
And he admitted to being pleasantly surprised to feel so fresh after such a long journey at the start of the week.
“I felt surprisingly good today,” said Schwartzel. “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.”
Singh also started on the back nine and began his day with an eagle at the long tenth.
The 40 year old bogeyed the next, but had six unanswered birdies after that including a 15 footer at the 18th.
“I’m really happy,” said the three-time European Tour winner. “I had a great start to the round. I hit a three wood to 20 feet and holed that for eagle, that gives you a good push and a jump start.
“I had a lot of birdie chances. I hit a lot of greens and my shots were close to the flags - I made a lot of putts too. I would take a round like that on this golf course any day.”
