David Horsey set the early pace as round one of the Maybank Championship got under way at Saujana Golf & Country Club.
The Englishman had been right in contention at last week's Omega Dubai Desert Classic before struggling with the wind like much of the field on Sunday, and he brought that good form to Malaysia.
He turned in 32 before parring the first to sit at four under, a shot clear of a group of seven players on a congested early leaderboard.
Horsey began with a bogey but bounced back in spectacular style, birdieing the 11th and 12th, and eagling the 13th. Another dropped shot came on the 16th but birdies on the 17th and 18th gave him a narrow advantage.
Matteo Manassero has been a winner in Malaysia before at the 2011 Maybank Malaysian Open and he was in the group just a shot back after eight holes.
The Italian made birdies on the first, fifth, sixth and eighth with a bogey on the second.
Thai trio Danthai Boonma, Phachara Khongwatmai and Thaworn Wiratchant, India's Gaganjeet Bhullar, England's Chris Hanson and Scotsman Scott Jamieson were all also at three under.
Home favourites Nicholas Fung and Mohd Waffiyuddin were then in a group at two under that also contained in-form Chris Paisley, fellow Englishman Andrew Johnston and Thai veteran Thongchai Jaidee.
