Lam ties Australian at helm with 66

Aussie Sam Brazel and unfancied Filipino James Ryan Lam produced a pair of five-under 66s to emerge the surprise joint leaders in the opening round of the $300,000 Solaire Open at The Country Club in Laguna, which yielded 38 under-par scores despite its windy condition on Thursday.

Brazel cashed in on an early tee-time to gun down four birdies at the front, including on the difficult No. 4, then added two more at the back when the wind started to pound the open course to seize solo control. But he failed to sustain his charge and dropped a shot on No. 16 for a 31-35, enabling Lam to gain a view from the top.