Record rounds give Cunning and Brown joint lead in indonesia

American veteran Mike Cunning and New Zealand's Mark Brown established a course record of six-under-par 66 to lead the first round of the Motorola International in Bintan, Indonesia, yesterday.

The inaugural US$350,000 Asian Tour event enjoyed a spectacular launch at the Ria Bintan Golf Club as Malaysia's P. Gunasegaran and England's Yasin Ali produced holes in one en route to a 68 and 69 respectively.

Thai newcomer Kwanchai Tannin also delivered the fireworks with eight birdies for a 67 to share third place with Korean duo Ted Oh and Han Lee.

A one-hour, 10-minute suspension due to lightning in the afternoon meant that 27 players failed to complete their opening rounds. They will resume play this morning.

Ten years after winning Asia's Order of Merit, Cunning is preparing for a career on the Seniors Tour as he will turn 49 in July. But he showed glimpses of his best form with a glorious start in this event.

'I've re-dedicated myself to the game. Last year wasn't very much fun [when he missed 11 cuts from 15 tournaments]. I wasn't concentrating and wasn't enjoying the golf that I was playing.