MUMBAI, May 11: South African Hendrik Buhrmann is hoping a “holiday” approach will steer him to a maiden title in Asia after he grabbed the first round lead at the Asian Masters on Thursday.

Buhrmann fired a six-under-par 66 thanks to a hot putter which produced seven birdies. A dropped shot on his 16th hole cost him a share of the course record.

Local duo Ashok Kumar and Firoz Ali led the Indian charge in the US$ 400,000 Asian Tour event, shooting impressive 67s that included an eagle each in their rounds. Their effort was matched by Australian Adam Groom and England's Simon Hurd, who enjoyed a terrific run of six birdies on his homeward nine.

Leading first round scores:

66 - Hendrik Buhrmann

67 - Simon Hurd, Adam Groom, Firoz Ali , Ashok Kumar

68 - Simon Griffiths, Keith Horne

69 - Airil Rizman Zahari , Uttam Singh Mundy, Mukesh Kumar , Jarrod Moseley , Luke Hickmott , Kane Webber, Corey Harris,), Martin Rominger

70 - Pat Giles , Shaaban Hussein, S.S.P. Chowrasia, Dinesh Kumar, Marcus Both , Barry Hume

71 - Michael Wright, Amandeep Johl, Pornsakon Tipsanit, James Stewart , Jason King , Yasin Ali , Gurbaaz Mann , Bryan Saltus), Simon Nash

72 - Terry Pilkadaris , Iain Steel, Ranjit Singh, Ali Sher, C. Muniyappa, Pappan.—Agencies