Australian golfers Scott Hend and Wade Ormsby shared the lead with Ben Fox of the United States after shooting eight-under-par 64 in the opening round of the Burma Open.

Chinnarat Phadungsil of Thailand, a three-time Asian Tour winner, was a further shot back with Kim Gi-Whan of South Korea in the $300,000 event, the first of the Asian Tour season.

Hend, who is among 15 Australians in the field, predicts a low-scoring week as he aims to end a three-year title drought.

“I hit good shots and holed my putts. I missed a couple but you can’t complain when you shoot an eight-under,” he said.

Fox, who is searching for his first Asian Tour victory, credited the hard work in the gym during the off-season for his fast start.

“I worked hard in the off-season. I don’t like working out during the season but during the break I was hitting it hard in the gym and on the practice range,” he said.