Davis in hunt in Malaysian event

FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD:
-8 R Barnes (US) -7 R Moore (US) -6 B Davis (Eng), C Pettersson (Swe), C WI (Kor) Selected others: -5 M Laird (Scot) -4 L Donald (Eng), E Els (SA)

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Brian Davis is two shots off the leader Ricky Barnes

England's Brian Davis is two shots off the lead at the CIMB Asia-Pacific Classic in Kuala Lumpur, the PGA Tour's inaugural event in south-east Asia.

The Englishman fired six birdies in a bogey-free 65 to trail American pair Ricky Barnes (63) and Ryan Moore (64).

Davis is joined on six under by Swede Carl Pettersson and Korea's Charlie Wi.

Scotland's Martin Laird ended the day in a group of four players on five under, while Luke Donald and Ernie Els are in a group on four under.

The event features only the leading 25 golfers from the PGA Tour's FedExCup standings, along with the top 10 players from the Asian Tour and five sponsor exemptions.

Barnes, who won the amateur Eisenhower Trophy with the United States team at the same venue in 2002, hit 17 greens in regulation and putted well at the Mines Resort and Golf Club.

"I made it a very stress-free round on myself by putting from about 20 or 25 feet. It seemed like my putts were all from that region," said the 29-year-old Barnes, who carded eight birdies on Thursday.

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"I played really well. I got off to a good start by making some good swings and had a 10-foot look at eagle on three which got my round started."

Moore also returned a bogey-free effort with seven birdies.

"For me, this is my last chance to get a win and finish off the year the way I want to," said the 27-year-old.

"It was a good season. I feel like it was better than last year and last year I had a win. That's what I'm coming here for. It's my last tournament of the year.

"The greens rolled good and you can give yourself good birdie chances. It gives you a chance to make 20, 25 footers."

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