Defending champion Ben Crane plays a shot in the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic at the Mines Resort and Golf Club in Seri Kembangan yesterday. Crane fired a 69. — Picture by Yazit Razali
Australian Allenby fired an eight-under 63 as flight-mate Vegas shot a 64 in benign early morning conditions before rain interrupted play late in the afternoon at the Mines Resort and Golf Club in Seri Kembangan.
By the time the heavens opened, Allenby and Vegas were already in the club-house with only Fredrik Jacobson proving a threat among the late starters as the Swede came home in 65.
Allenby was off to a quick start, sinking four birdies in his opening six holes, before claiming four more birdies on the back-nine, including three in a row from the 15th, for a blemish-free round.
"I'm happy with the way I played and hit the ball well all day. Overall, I'm happy with my golf," said Allenby, 40, seeking his first title since the 2009 Australian PGA Championship.
"I've been playing well for a while but haven't put the scores on the board.
To have a bogey-free round and shoot eight-under here is a great score.
"My iron play was solid. I think more importantly, I made a lot of good putts. That's the part that has been letting me down of late and I've been working hard on it.
"I'm starting to make some putts and hope that is where it is for the rest of the tournament."
Allenby courted trouble on Tuesday when he was chased by a monkey at the 10th hole after getting too close in his attempt to take a picture but the only real danger he faced yesterday was a wayward tee shot on the par-four 18th.
"I got away with a nice par on 18. I had just one wayward tee shot but I made a good par save.
"The majority of my putts were between 10 and 20 feet. I hit a lot of greens too and I made most of the putts I looked at," said Allenby, who is looking to justify his selection as a wild card for next month's Presidents Cup clash between the Internationals and the United States in Melbourne.
Vegas also had eight birdies on his card but crucially, a bogey at the par-four fourth cost the Venezuelan a share of the lead.
But he finished strongly, birdieing his last four holes to put himself firmly in contention for the US$1.3 million (RM4 million) winner's purse.
"I had a really good round and I hit the ball really well. I kept hitting on the fairways and the greens, made some good putts and finished with four birdies in a row which was a nice way to end the round.
"Hopefully, we can keep that going for the next three days and hold the trophy on Sunday.
"It's a great golf course and I'm hoping the rain will stay away," said Vegas, who won the Bob Hope Classic earlier this year.
Jacobson sank an eagle on the par-four 15th on his way to a 65, two strokes behind Allenby, as the Swede sought to add to the Travellers Championship title he won in June.
A trio of Americans -- Cameron Tringale, Jimmy Walker and Bo Van Pelt -- are a further shot behind on 66 while defending champion Ben Crane is six off the lead after a 69 for tied-19th.
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