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Dougherty shoots 62 to lead Malaysia Open

England's Nick Dougherty was on track to record the first 59 in European tour history, before settling for a 10-under 62 and a two-stroke lead after yesterday's first round of the Malaysian Open.

Dougherty birdied 10 of his first 13 holes and looked capable of breaking 60, but recorded pars on his final five holes.

It was enough to put him two shots clear of compatriot Simon Dyson and Australia's Marcus Fraser, who both shot eight-under 64 on a day of low scoring.

A notable exception was former US Open champion Michael Campbell, who recorded three double-bogeys and one triple-bogey in carding a humbling 12-over 84, putting the New Zealander six shots off the next lowest-ranked player.

Dougherty, who also led after the first round of last year's US Open, at one point had a string of seven straight birdies -- the last three holes on the back nine and first four on the front of the Kota Permai course, in a co-sanctioned European and Asian tour event.

Local Malaysian hope Danny Chia was among four players in equal fourth after shooting a seven-under 65, along with South Africa's Keith Horne, Denmark's Soren Kjeldsen and Argentina's Daniel Vancsik.

New Zealand's Mark Brown was in touch after a first-round 66. Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke shot a 69.
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