Jbe’ Kruger and Gavin Green from Malaysia, both former champions shots 68s to sit in second along with Chinese-Taipei’s Lee Chieh-po and Atiruj Winaicharoenchai from Thailand after the first round of the Asian Tour’s Mercuries Taiwan Masters.

Australian Kevin Yuan made a brilliant eagle two on his 14th to snatch the first-round lead at Taiwan Golf and Country Club.

This week’s venue is the oldest golf club in the country, and its greens are in immaculate condition according to the players. However, its tight-tree lined fairways and tricky, sloping greens are once again posing a huge challenge.

“It was brutal,” said Kruger.

“It’s just a tough golf course. You have to play well. You can’t make mistakes. Every single shot you have to concentrate on because it’s just that tough.

“The greens are so fast, if you miss the fairways, you can’t stop it. So, you have to physically try and hit the fairway, and if you don’t, you’re just trying to get it on the green. So, it’s just not a normal golf course. It’s literally try and hit the fairway, then you try and hit the green because the greens are so fast, because they’re so good.”

He made an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys today.

The South African won here in 2024 for his first victory on the Asian Tour in five years after an extraordinary weekend of golf that saw three rounds played, each shotgun starts, as a result of Typhoon Krathon. Extremely poor weather meant no play was possible on Thursday and Friday. It was his third title on the Asian Tour.

On playing with old friend Green, he said: “It definitely helps. Obviously, I’ve known him a long time. It helps play with someone you know, a familiar face, but I can’t hit it as far as him, unfortunately.”