Last time the greens were playing a bit easier. Maybe the greens are new and haven't matured so it is hard. It is also very sloppy so there are not many places to put the pins,' Bhullar added.

The evergreen Thaworn, Asia's No.1 in 2005, sank three closing birdies from close range to extend his recent revival in form which has seen him win three smaller tournaments across the region.

'During the first six months of the year, I was doing everything the same as before but nothing happened for me. But recently, the putts started to roll in and things began to happen again,' said the 10-time Asian Tour winner, who failed to register a single top-10 in the front half of the season.

Korea's Lee Sung, Thammanoon Srirot of Thailand and Australia's Adam Blyth one stroke behind the leaders on 67s. Singaporean prospect Quincy Quek, featuring in his first Asian Tour event as a professional, brilliantly fired seven consecutive birdies en route to a 68 to lie two off a crowded leaderboard.