Allenby makes fast start at Asia Pacific Classic

Australian Robert Allenby made a sensational start to the $6.1-million CIMB Asia Pacific Classic on Thursday by firing an eight-under-par 63 to set the pace in the first round in Malaysia. The 40-year-old, who was menaced by a monkey on the 10th hole at The Mines Resort & Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur when he was practising earlier in the week, was joined at the top of the nascent leaderboard by Jhonattan Vegas. The Venezuelan fired a 64, with most the field yet to complete their first round at the co-sanctioned PGA Tour and Asian Tour showpiece. "I started the day with some good early putts and hit the ball well today and overall I'm very happy with today's result," said the Florida-based Allenby, who had eight birdies against no bogeys. "I've been playing well for a while but haven't put the scores on the board. Today was nice to get no bogeys for the round and eight under is a great score. "My iron play was good today and more importantly I made some good putts. I've been working hard on that. My game is there, it's just the focus now."