THERE were mixed fortunes for Ireland's Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley on the first day of the Malaysian Open at the Templer Park Country Club in Kuala Lumpar yesterday.

Clarke began with a two under par 70 to leave him in joint fifth place, while McGinley slumped to an 80 and is struggling to make the halfway cut.

Clarke only hit tour fairways but a week spent sharpening his short game with Manuel Pinero paid dividends and he scrambled well. Out in a level par 36, the 27 year old from Dungannon picked Lip two shots on the way home, the highlight being a birdie at the 17th when he put a seven iron shot to within 12 inches of the hole.

Clarke joins Scotland's Sam Torrance in a group of players four shots behind the leader, Steve Flesch of the US.

Flesch recorded a six under par 66 including eight birdies to take a one stroke lead.

Fellow American Christian Pena shot an eagle on his way to a 67 and second place.