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September 3rd 2009, Crans Montana, Switzerland: Thai star Thongchai Jaidee began his chase for a third title of the season with a stellar six-under-par 65 after the first round of the Omega European Masters on Thursday.

The Asian Tour Order of Merit leader emerged as the leading Asian in the elite field following seven birdies and a lone bogey at the spectacular Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club in the Swiss Alps.

Thongchai, who won titles in Indonesia and Korea earlier this year, is three strokes behind leader Brett Rumford of Australia, who carded a superb 62. The Omega European Masters is joint-sanctioned for the first time by the Asian Tour and European Tour.

India’s Jeev Milkha Singh, looking to put in a strong performance to impress International Team captain Greg Norman, opened his campaign with a solid 68 and was matched by compatriot Shiv Kapur, Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing and Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat.

Thongchai showed his growing fondness to the spectacular par-71 course in the Swiss Alps and went out in 31, thanks to five birdies. He dropped a shot on 10 but bounced back with a 20-foot birdie conversion on 11 before closing out with further birdies on the 15th and 16th holes, both from inside eight feet.

“I played very well on the front nine but the back nine is tough. I played solid and hit 16 greens and missed only three fairways. I’m very happy with a six-under round,” said the Thai, Asia’s number one in 2001 and 2004.

“I know the course now. If you play the course the first time, it’s difficult to adjust to the altitude. But after you play it the second time and more, you will become better.”

Singh was delighted with his opening round’s effort, which included four birdies against a lone bogey. He is hoping to be one of the two wildcard picks for the Presidents Cup when Norman announces his selection next Tuesday.

“I played really well. I was rock solid and I was happy with how I played. I’m stroking it well and I hope to take advantage of the good greens tomorrow morning,” said the Indian, last year’s Asian Tour Order of Merit winner.

“I just kept plodding away. I hit all the greens on the front nine and just holed one putt. I told myself to hang in there and it came around on the back nine. I’m feeling good - mentally, physically and feeling good with the game.”

Rumford, winner of the Omega European Masters in 2007, produced a spectacular round. The Aussie hit a spectator with his opening drive, dropped bogeys on the fourth and fifth holes before bouncing back in stunning fashion with an eagle and seven birdies for a back nine 28.

“I got off to a bit of a shaky start in more ways than one. I lost my drive on the first hole and it hit a lady right on the bridge of the eye and she needed to have a few stitches. It wasn’t the best of starts,” said Rumford.

“I then had a nice string of putts coming home which elevated the round to the next level. I don’t know why I shot nine under but today I just got the putter running hot.”

England’s Simon Dyson, Asia’s number one in 2000 and winner of the KLM Open two weeks ago, fired two eagles en route to second place on 63 while five other players, including Ryder Cup star Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain, shot 65s to lie in third place alongside Thongchai.