Miguel Tabuena and Tony Lascuña fired similar three-under par 68s yesterday to storm in contention at the start of the SMBC Singapore Open at the Sentosa Golf Club.
Tabuena, using the event as part of his preparation for the defense of his Philippine Open title next month, upstaged flightmate Sergio Garcia of Spain who opened with a 71. He had three birdies in a bogey-free round.
Lascuña, on the other hand, birdied two of the last three holes to tie Tabuena, Gaganjeet Bhullar of India, Jbe Kruger of South Africa, Toshinori Muto of Japan, Quincy Quek of Singapore, Tadahiro and Takayama of Japan.
Many players were still on the course with Angelo Que going two-under after eight holes.
Japanese Hideto Tanihara and Korean Kang Kyungnam shared the provisional lead at six-under 65.
American Seungsu Han and Gavin Green of Malaysia were tied for third place following a 66 while Shaun Norris of South Africa was alone in fifth at 67.