KOTA KINABALU, November 3, 2011 (AFP) - Jay Bayron tamed a tough back nine as his rivals faltered to lead by three shots after a first round five-under-par 65 at the $60,000 Sabah Masters on Thursday.
Bayron, who boasts a string of high finishes on this year's ASEAN PGA Tour, tops the leaderboard ahead of Filipino compatriot Anthony Fernando and Thailand's Tanatchan Puaktes.
Marlon Dizon of the Philippines is a stroke further back.
The pre-tournament favourites are all in the hunt with Malaysian Nicholas Fung and his countrymen S. Sivachandran and Airil Rizman carding 70s. Indonesia's top golfer Rory Hie shot a 71.
Thailand's Wisut Artjanawat, winner of last month's Palembang Musi Championship, returned a 72 at Sutera Harbour Golf & Country Club.
"I don't know how I did it but I played the back nine in four under without any bogeys. It is a really tough back nine. The par-four 18th is 499 yards." said Bayron, yet to taste victory on the ASEAN PGA Tour.
"I am not stressed about not having won yet. I just need to stay patient," added the 32-year-old, who sunk six birdies and dropped one shot.
Leading first round scores (par 70):
65 - Jay Bayron (PHI)
68 - Anthony Fernando (PHI), Tanatchan Puaktes (THA)
69 - Marlon Dizon (PHI)
70 - Apichart Papitak (THA), Nicholas Fung (MAS), S. Sivachandran (MAS), Airil Rizman (MAS)
71 - Rory Hie (INA), Wittawat Sae-Ung (THA), C.J. Gatto (USA)