Pod storms into Malaysia lead

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Padraig Harrington a stormed home on Thursday to take a share of the lead at the Johor Open at Horizon Hills in Malaysia.

Padraig Harrington produced a storming finish to take a share of the first round lead at the Johor Open at Horizon Hills in Malaysia.

The Irishman, who also started with three successive birdies, holed an 18-foot putt to eagle the 16th and then a 25-footer to repeat the trick at the 18th.

That gave him an eight-under-par 64, which was matched by Australia’s Marcus Both and Thai Kiradech Aphibarnrat.

Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie carded a 70 despite feeling the effects of the heat during his morning round.

Gusting wind also caused him problems.

Harrington said: “I played very well on the front nine and had a lot of chances, but I found the wind very tricky.

“I was hanging in there. I had a few more chances but I didn’t play brilliantly or didn’t get the breaks at the start of the back nine so it was nice to finish eagle, par, eagle.”

Han Lee leads the Japan Open

In Japan on Thursday American Han Lee led the Japan Open after he posted a six-under-par 65 at Aichi Country Club.

Lee did not drop a shot in his first-round effort, collecting six birdies to establish a one-shot lead over Hiroyuki Fujita.

Australian Chris Campbell lies third on four under par in the Japan Golf Tour’s final major of the season.

Ryo Ishikawa is in a group of five players on three-under following an opening 68.

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