SHIGA, September 22, 2011 (AFP) - South Africa's Jbe Kruger took a step towards securing his maiden Asian Tour title, posting a seven-under-par 64 to take the first round lead at the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open on Thursday.
Japan's Daisuke Maruyama and Kenichi Kuboya both hit 67s to take second place alongside Korea's Bae Sang-moon and S.K Ho at the 150,000,000 yen ($1.7 million) event, joint-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour.
Taiwan's Chan Yih-shin continued his good run by signing for a 68 to take a share of sixth place with six players that include Thailand's Prom Meesawat at the Biwako Country Club.
Kruger has come close to winning on several occasions but that first title has eluded him.
The South African said that he has to keep his focus before he makes it to the winner's circle.
"I probably have to do what I've been doing today which is to hit the greens and fairways and try to put less pressure on myself," said the 25-year-old.
Despite playing in Japan for the first time, Kruger displayed no signs of nerves as he marked his card with six birdies, an eagle and a lone bogey at the Biwako Country Club.
The South African credited his putting for the comfortable lead and hopes that his good form will eventually lead him to victory after coming so close on several occasions.
"I've been playing well the last couple of weeks and the only thing is that I've not been doing is to get my putting going. But today I putted really well," said Kruger.
"At the end of the day, it's going to come down to pressure on the final day and I'll have to cope with that when it comes," added Kruger.
Chan put himself in contention for a back-to-back win following his victory in Macau last week.
"I've been playing well and I've been telling myself that I must continue this good run of form. You've to get into that habit of winning and always challenge yourself that you can do it," said Chan.
"My putting has been solid and hopefully it'll be my week again," added the ever-smiling Taiwanese player.
Leading scores after round one of the Asia-Pacific Open Golf Championship Panasonic on Thursday:
64 - Jbe Kruger (RSA).
67 - Daisuke Maruyama (JPN), Bae Sang-Moon (KOR), S.K. Ho (KOR), Kenichi Kuboya (JPN).
68 - Prom Meesawat (THA), Toshinori Muto (JPN), Michio Matsumura (JPN), Chan Yih-shin (TPE), Kiyoshi Miyazato (JPN), Kaname Yokoo (JPN)
69 - J.B. Park (KOR), Keiichiro Fukabori (JPN), Katsuyuki Sakurai (JPN), Yoshinori Fujimoto (JPN), Hiroyuki Fujita (JPN), Shintaro Kai (JPN), Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA), KIM Do-hoon 752 (KOR), Lee Sung (KOR), Kazuhiko Hosokawa (JPN), Brad Kennedy (AUS), Tetsuji Hiratsuka (JPN), Danny Chia (MAS).
71 - Prayad Marksaeng (THA), Jyoti Randhawa (IND), Thaworn Wiratchant (THA), Ryo Ishikawa (JPN), Lam Chih Bing (SIN), Jeev Milkha Singh (IND)