KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Former champion Marcus Fraser and Nacho Elvira turned in 7-under-par 65s for the joint lead of the Maybank Championship after the opening round on Thursday.
A shot behind were Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand, Angelo Que of the Philippines, and Matthias Schwab of Austria. Thomas Pieters of Belgium was two shots behind on 67 after he eagled the par-5 first hole.
Fraser won the inaugural event in 2016, his third and last European Tour victory, and by his own admission the Australian has become a ''part-time'' player. But he was in fine form in humid conditions at Saujana Golf and Country Club with eight birdies and a bogey.