Jamie Donaldson carded nine birdies and no bogeys to take pole position at the $1m Thailand Golf Championship.

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The Welshman, who is making his debut at the Asian Tour event, scored four birdies to turn in 32, then followed with birdies on holes five more on the back nine.

“I played really good all day and I couldnt really do anything wrong,” Donaldson said. “I just need to continue this form for the next few days and not concentrate on things that are out of my control or ahead of me.”

Elsewhere, Thailand’s recent Asian Development Tour winner Chanat Sakulpolphaisan spearheaded the home charge by carding an impressive 66 to share second place with Spains Sergio Garcia.

Garcia, a winner in Vietnam last week, came home in mixed form with a 31 including two birdies and a bogey for an outward 35.

After dropping another shot on 10, the European roared back with six further birdies to sit three shots back of Donaldson.

“Im definitely happy,” the diminutive Spaniard said. “It was a wonderful back nine and Im obviously delighted with shooting five under there.

“I hit some very good shots throughout the day and I feel like Im in a good position going into the next day.”