Charl Schwartzel tops leaderboard after round one of Thailand Golf Championship

Former Masters winner Charl Schwartzel has put himself into contention for the Thailand Golf Championship by topping the leaderboard with a seven-under 65.

The South African pro, who finished second in the tournament last year, hit seven birdies on the course at the Amata Spring Country Club in the hot conditions near Bangkok.

Meanwhile, reigning champion Lee Westwood has had a stuttered start to the defence of his title by scoring a two-under 70, which was the result of a number of missed putts, which were makeable for the Englishman.

Westwood bogeyed the 18th hole in the first round after he missed a simple par putt on the 17th, despite striking a crisp tee shot to reach six feet on the green.

Thitiphun Chuayprakong currently sits one shot below Schwartzel on a first-round 66.