Harrington in the hunt in Kuala Lumpur as Piercy fires 62

Padraig Harrington fired his way to an opening round of 68 in the CIMB Classic in Kuala Lumpur.

The three-time Major winner got off to a flying start in Malaysia, reaching the turn at four under par, but stalled after the turn and lies six off the lead heading into day two.

American Scott Piercy fired a sensational 10-under-par 62 to hold a three-shot lead after the opening round.

The 36-year-old, a three-time winner on the PGA Tour, made 10 unanswered birdies at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, including a hat-trick of gains at the start of his round.

A chip-in at 13 and closing birdies on the 17th and 18th — the latter from 20 feet — put Piercy three shots clear of Japan's Hideki Matsuyama, who had eight birdies and a single bogey in his round of 65.

“I made the putts I didn’t last week and got a little lucky as well,” Piercy told the PGA Tour website, before adding of his chip-in: “It was good fortune, a good break and it was nice to see the ball go in.

“I only missed three or four greens today so if you got 14 chances, you’re doing pretty well.”

Former US PGA champion Keegan Bradley led a five-strong group of players on six under, with German Alex Cejka, Australian Cameron Smith and Americans Charles Howell III and Jason Gore also going round in 66.

Ryan Moore — chasing a third consecutive win in this event — opened with a five-under 67, one shot better than former Masters winner Adam Scott and Dubliner Harrington.

Former world number one Scott was pleased to have put himself in contention in hot and humid conditions.

“The greens are rolling so you could really make some putts and I should have done better but overall, I’m happy,” said the Australian.

“We have to hit good shots as there are some trick lies and you have to play solidly. You need to play good shots to get a good score.”

It proved to be an eventful day for America’s Scott Brown, who double-bogeyed the 11th but then aced the 15th en route to a round of 68, winning a BMW i8 for his hole-in-one.