Maybank Championship 2017 Round #1: What the leaders said?  12:00, 10/02/2017

Marc Warren of Scotland/ Image by GlobalOne

Obviously it was good today, it was a good tee time nice and early before the wind picks up. I got off to a really nice start, six under for the first nine holes. Once the wind picked up on the back nine it was just a case of staying solid and hitting the greens. It was a bit of a battle on the last hole there, the tee shot was plugged in the bunker but it was nice to make five.

More of the same tomorrow. My iron play was very good and recently I have been making a lot of birdies but a lot of mistakes as well. It was nice to get around without a bogey. It is a tough golf course, especially with the wind and the heat and everything else, and grainy greens too. If you shoot a score of nine under you’re putting really well so I’ll take a lot of confidence from today and move on to tomorrow.

Phachara Khongwatmai (Tha) – First round 65 (-7)

Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand/ Image by Asian Tour

I’m very happy. I didn’t think I could shoot seven under. This course is a tough course. One or two under would be good and if I can make the cut, I’ll be happy. I didn’t think too much about making birdies. I wasn’t confident of putting the ball but they all went in.

I’m happy that I could keep my form steady from last year, so I’m more confident in 2017. I now feel confident playing anywhere and also my style is to be as relaxed as possible. If what I practice is right, then I will keep doing it. I’ve been practicing my putting a lot as I know putting is important to put on a score.

Singapore was a good week with a second place. Every week, I want to make the cut. Then I’m happy. I won’t force myself. If I can keep up with my good form, I will try my best to get a win on the Asian Tour this year.

Arie Irawan (Mas) – First Round 66 (-6)

Arie Irawan of Malaysia/ Image by Asian Tour

I got off to a patient start, made the right decisions and then the birdies came. Made five in a row and another one on four. Just stayed in there. I made a 16 or 18 footer on 15 and hit it to three feet on 16, hit it to four and half feet on 17 and made a nine footer at the next. On one, I made a five footer. I was putting well and placing the ball in the right position. That’s when the birdies started.

I love this golf course. I’ve played here since my junior and amateur days. It’s one of my favourite courses to play. It’s great for the tournament to come back here. To make no bogeys here is great as if you can make a lot of birdies here to be in a good position.

I played good on the last day in Bangladesh (last week). I shot a 68 and no bogeys too. So I’m on a no bogey run for 36 holes which is good. I learned a lot from playing in Bangladesh and from playing in Qschool. Just finding ways to get better. The preparation for this week has been good. My caddie and I did a lot of good work and it helped.

Danny Willett (Eng) – First Round 66 (-6)

Danny Willett of England/ Photo by themalaymailonline.com

It was good, it's always nice to get out early when you're in Malaysia. It was still roasting hot this morning but the wind stays calm for the first hour or so and allows you to get some shots in there nice and close. The wind picked up a bit towards the end and it plays a little trickier around here.

When it's this hot and the wind is swirling, if you can make it as stress-free as possible it's a little bit easier. You get frustrated out here and it becomes a long old day. Happy with the start.

Gaganjeet Bhullar (Ind) – First Round 66 (-6)

I hit the ball really well and gave myself a lot of birdie opportunities. I think I hit 15 greens in regulation today and had some really close birdies. Drove it really well. Missed some shots in the middle of the round but after that the game was coming back on track. Just the first day and I’m feeling positive for the week.

I’ve been driving it good lately, hitting a lot of fairways. And I’ve been giving myself a lot of birdie opportunities which is the key factor this week. Greens here are small and if you’re on the green, you have good chance of scoring.