MALAYSIAN Danny Chia shot a stunning eight-under-par 64 to take the first-round lead in the Laguna National Asean Championship at the Laguna National Golf and Country Club.

Chia, who won the International Championship presented by Telkomsel in Indonesia on the newly- launched Asean Golf Tour, was impressive once again in the circuit's third leg yesterday, firing an eagle and six birdies, reported World Sport Group.

Filipino Angelo Que came in with a 65 in the US$50,000 ($72,445) event.

But the biggest smile was worn by Singapore's No. 1 Mardan Mamat whose 67 atoned for his disqualification in last week's Barclays Singapore Open for signing for an incorrect scorecard.

NOT COURSE RECORD

Chia's score is the lowest recorded on Laguna's Classic Course but it did not count as a course record as preferred lies were being played.

He made the cut in the Singapore Open but struggled to finish in 70th place.

'The Serapong Course last week was really tough, so, today, there was a lot less pressure but you still have to hit the ball well here to put a good score together,' said Chia, who eagled the par-five 15th after hitting a five iron to 12 feet.

'I missed a couple of birdie-putts from five feet which would have made the round extra special.'

Chia toured the back nine in five-under-par 31.

Que, who, like Chia, has won once before on the Asian Tour, did all his work on the outward nine, which he played in five-under, with birdies on four, five, seven, eight and nine.

While Chia and Que were burning up the course, all eyes were on Mardan.

'It's over. I have got to move on and play well this week and next week in Hong Kong,' said Mardan, referring to his disappointment last week. 'It was nice to go out there today and shoot a bogey-free round.'

Singapore amateur Quincy Quek came in with a 70. He won the prize for the leading amateur in last week's Singapore Open, tying for 33rd position.

Filipino Mars Pucay, who won the second leg on the Asean Golf Tour in the Philippines three weeks ago, carded a 68, along with his compatriot Felix Casas.

LEADERS:

64 Danny Chia

65 Angelo Que

66 Hanafiah Jamil

67 Mardan Mamat, Mohd Shaaban Hussein, Nakul Vichitryuthasatr

68 Mars Pucay, Felix Casas, Jerome Delariarte, S Murthy

SELECTED:

70 Deni Supriadi, S Sivachandran, Quincy Quek