Staff WriterMatthew Jordan produced a back-nine birdie blitz to sign for an opening 65 and share the lead with fellow Englishman Marcus Armitage after the first round of the weather-affected Porsche Singapore Classic.
After persistent rain meant no play was possible on Thursday, the first round eventually got underway on Friday morning, with the event officially being reduced to 54 holes shortly afterwards.
Morning starter Armitage set the early clubhouse target after firing an eagle, six birdies and a bogey in his 65 to get to seven under par before an impressive burst of scoring saw Jordan briefly take over at the top in the afternoon.
Having made four birdies and a bogey on the front nine, Jordan caught fire after the turn as he reeled off five birdies in a row to lead the way on eight under.
But he found the water at the par-three 17th and had to settle for a bogey there, despite going close to holing from the drop zone for what would have been a miracle par save.
Matthew Jordan: “It was enjoyable. Of course, when you shoot a score like that, it’s great.
I hit it close, that was probably the main thing for today with these greens. If you can have some decent wedge play shots, then you can work it through the tee and access some pinch and that’s what I was able to do.
“Boring answer, sorry. Just the same as what everyone else, the fact that it’s 54 holes doesn’t really change anything I do.
You’ve got emphasis on having a good start, because you get behind the eight ball a bit and then you are struggling, you don’t have as much time. That was nice to do that today.
“I got engaged and it’s my first round since then. I guess I should have done it sooner if I was going to play like that.”
Haotong Li was among the big group one shot back in a tie for third alongside Jordan Smith, Manuel Elvira, Callum Shinkwin and Adrien Saddier.
Local teenager Brayden Lee made a big impression on Friday as he opened with a 69.
The 17-year-old amateur, who secured one of three qualifying spots last month to gain entry into the biggest event of his career so far, carded five birdies and two bogeys to get to three under par.
The cut will remain at the top 65 players and ties and will be made at the conclusion of the second round.
