JAKARTA: Rising French star Victor Dubuisson got off to a shaky start at the Indonesian Masters Thursday with a two-over-par 74 first round, while Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung and American Anthony Kang shared the lead.

Expectations are high that Dubuisson, the highest ranked player in the tournament at number 23 in the world, will be the star performer at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club after winning his maiden European Tour title last year.

However the 24-year-old failed to shine in the first round of the $750,000 Asian Tour event, which saw Fung continue his impressive recent form and Kang play surprisingly well.

Both scored a five-under-par 67 to share the lead.

“I’ve learnt to be patient with my game, try to calm down and always stay positive,” said Fung, whose game has been helped by his EurAsia Cup experience last month where Team Asia battled to a draw with Team Europe.

Kang, 41, was taken aback that he did so well: “I surprised even myself with such a good score. You know, I’m getting old and I’m just enjoying my time on the golf course nowadays.

“Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat, a three-time Asian Tour winner, scored 68 to take a share of third place with defending champion Bernd Wiesberger of Austria, Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond, India’s Sujjan Singh and Australia’s Jake Higginbottom and Cameron Smith.

Major winner Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa also got off to a slow start, scoring 72 in the first round, according to an Asian Tour press release.

Leading scores after round one (par 72):

67 — Nicholas Fung (MAS), Anthony Kang (USA)

68 — Chapchai Nirat (THA), Cameron Smith (AUS), Jazz Janewattananond (THA), Bernd Wiesberger (AUT), Jake Higginbottom (AUS), Sujjan Singh (IND)

Selected scores:

71 — Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA), Thongchai Jaidee (THA), Mardan Mamat (SIN)

72 — Louis Oosthuizen (RSA)

74 — Victor Dubuisson (FRA).—AFP