KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- South Africa's Anton Haig and Marcus Both of Australia shot opening rounds of 9-under-par 63 Thursday to share first day honors at the inaugural Malaysian Masters.

Haig made eight birdies on the Pulai Springs Resort course in Malaysia's southern Johor state for his best opening round on the Asian Tour.

Both launched his campaign in the U.S. $300,000 event with a blemish-free first round, which included nine birdies.

"I'm probably playing some of the best golf in my life at the moment," Haig said. "I hit it on target today and hope to keep it up the rest of the week."

Unho Park of Australia was one stroke off the pace at 64, ahead of Thailand's Chapchai Nirat and Kevin Chun of New Zealand on 65.

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