The sun has set on the first day of action at Laguna National, with defending champion Mardan Mamat looking relaxed and recording a top score on the Masters Course where he secured the title last year.

He commented “I played my own game and tried to be myself. I will take it one step at a time as that was the key to my success today.”

The leader board after one round is headed by Australian Marcus Fraser and Chinese number one Liang Wen-Chong at eight-under par after their rounds on the Classic course.

Liang was pleased with his first round: “I played well on the first nine and after having fired three birdies, I was a bit more relaxed heading to the last nine holes. I carried my momentum into the back nine and I’m pleased with my overall first round performance.”

Japanese star Shingo Katayama is tied third at seven-under but other top players failed to produce the goods on the slightly tougher Masters Course, and will have to be on form tomorrow to make the cut for the weekend.

Lee Westwood (two-under on the Masters course) demonstrated his skills this afternoon in the Emirates Youth Golf Development Programme and tomorrow’s session will be led by Darren Clarke (two-over on the Masters Course).

Friday at Laguna is Ladies Day where they can enjoy an exclusive Taylormade-adidas golf fashion show parading the latest Fall/Winter collection.

The tables will turn tomorrow for the 204 professional golfers competing as they face the second course, and they have everything to play for with only 65 places available for the final two days of action.