Sentosa, Singapore, January 17: Chinese Taipei’s Hung Chien-yao extended his bliss to the SMBC Singapore Open by carding a five-under-par 66 to snatch the first round clubhouse lead on Thursday.

Together with the Japanese pair of Yuta Ikeda and Yoshinori, Philippines’ Miguel Tabuena also had a round to remember when he returned with a 67 to trial Hung by one shot at the US$1 million event.

England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick, who is making his debut at the SMBC Singapore Open, was pleased to have completed his round before tropical storms halted play at the season-opening event of the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).

The Englishman signed for a 68 which was matched by Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond and Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung.

Play was first suspended at 2.08pm (local time). It resumed at 5.30pm before being suspended again due to fading light at 7.10pm.  78 players will resume their first round at 7.30am on Friday morning.

Having welcomed his baby daughter last November, Hung marked his best 18-hole score at the Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong Course which he attributed to his growing maturity.

Hung’s newfound status has also revived his flagging fortunes as his performance marked a big turnaround for the 26-year-old.

Playing in his first event since missing the cut in three consecutive events towards the end of 2018, Hung’s best result at the Singapore showpiece was a tied-60th finish last year.

Tabeuna continued to enjoy another good showing at the SMBC Singapore Open having finished tied-fourth and tied-eighth in 2016 and 2018 respectively.

The Filipino admitted he has not hit top form yet but will be ready as the week progresses.

Like last year where he finished tied-fourth, Jazz showed why he has established himself as one of the leading contenders for the SMBC Singapore Open again with another assured performance.

Major winner Sergio Garcia of Spain together with Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa returned with matching 69s to remain three shots back of Hung.

Did you know?

• Hung’s best result at the Singapore Open was in 2018 when he finished tied-60th finish. It was the first time he made the cut in three starts in Singapore.
• Hung had only one top-10 finish last year when he finished third at the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship.
• He missed the cut in his last three events in 2018.
• Miguel Tabuena missed out on a place at The Open by two shots when he finished tied-eighth at the SMBC Singapore Open last year.
• The Filipino is a two-time Asian Tour winner. He won his National Open in 2015 and added another victory last year when he lifted the Queen’s Cup hosted by Jaidee Foundation.
• Jazz finished tied-fourth at the SMBC Singapore Open last year to earn himself a dream ticket to The Open.
• The Thai first played his way into the history books of the Asian Tour in 2010 when he became the youngest ever player to make the halfway cut at the 2010 Asian Tour International in Bangkok at the age of 14 years and 71 days.

Ends.