Gary Murphy is the best-placed Irishman after the first day of the OSIM Singapore Masters, trailing by four home favourite Mardan Mamat and Australia’s Marcus Fraser who lead on seven under.

The leading pair carded 65s to hold a two shot avantage over the chasing pack and four clear of defending champion Nick Dougherty, who shot 69 to be tied 10th alongside Murphy..

Singapore native Mamat carded five birdies and one bogey on the back nine - plus birdies at the sixth, eighth and ninth to hold the early clubhouse lead. Fraser joined him after reaching the turn in 33 before further birdies at 11 and 13 and an eagle at the 15th moved him level with Mamat.

A birdie and a bogey on the front nine got Murphy to the turn in level par, then the Kilkenny man found three more birdies on the inward half. Murphy was the only one of five Irishmen in the field to break 70.

David Higgins, who tied seventh in Indonesia last week, shot a steady one under 71 while Peter Lawrie covered the Laguna National layout in level par. Damien McGrane opened with a disappointing two over 74 while former Amateur champion Michael Hoey, still struggling since graduating to the main tour, shot 75.

Last week’s winner Simon Dyson wasn’t at the races and later admitted to fatigue as he shot 73.