Jamie Donaldson shoots a 63 to lead in Thailand

Jamie Donaldson fired a bogey-free 63 to open up a three-shot lead after the opening round of the Thailand Golf Championship.

The Welshman, who has not finished higher than fifth in 27 worldwide starts this year, struck nine birdies in near-perfect conditions at the Amata Spring Country Club to sit three clear of a group that includes last week's Ho Tram Open champion Sergio Garcia.

Garcia was joined in a tie for second by local duo Chanat Sakulpolphaisan and Chinnarat Phadungsil.

“I played really good all day; I never really missed any fairways,” said Donaldson. “I couldn’t really do things wrong today.

Phadungsil had looked set to cut into Donaldson’s advantage as he birdied seven of his opening 12 holes before losing ground by running up a double-bogey at the long 15th, while Garcia responded to a slow start by posting six gains in an eight-hole stretch along the back nine.

Matt Fitzpatrick continued his fine 2015 with a four-under 68 to sit alongside Martin Kaymer in the group tied-seventh, with Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke a further stroke off the pace.

Defending champion Lee Westwood finished his front nine with three consecutive bogeys to slip down the leaderboard, with the Englishman matching top seed Bubba Watson's opening-round 71. Darren Clarke shot a 69 while Niall Turner posted 74.