Golf: Noren leads as McIlory recovers

Alexander Noren holds a two-stroke lead after a blistering eight-under-par 64 in Kuala Lumpur.Alexander Noren leads the way after the opening round of the Malaysian OpenThe Swede cards an eight-over-par 64 for a two-stroke advantage over Matteo ManaserroRory McIlory shows no ill effects from his Masters slump to post a 69But Masters champion Charl Schwartzel struggles to a one-over-par round of 73
(CNN) -- Alexander Noren of Sweden carded an eight-under-par 64 to lead after the first round of the Malaysian Open, as Rory McIlory bounced back to form following his final round Masters collapse.
On a hot and humid day in Kuala Lumpur, Noren produced some astonishing golf, holing nine birdies against one bogey, to hold a two-stroke advantage over Italian teenager Matteo Manassero.
But all eyes were on Northern Irishman McIlory, who is in touch with the leaders after carding a 69, showing no ill effects from the disappointment of letting a winning advantage slip with his eight-over-par fourth round 80 at Augusta.
Montgomerie - Rory will bounce back
"What happened last week is completely behind me now," McIlroy told the official European Tour website. "I think there were more people upset about that round than I was.
I think there were more people upset about that round than I was
--Rory McIlroy
"It's one bad round. I'll live and I'm getting on with it and happy to be here and happy to shoot a decent first round," McIlroy added.
Meanwhile, Noren admitted that he was surprised to produce such an impressive first round score.
"I started off holing a nice putt on 10, then 11 and 12 and I thought 'what's going on here,'" said Noren.
"My putter was great today. After that my driver was steady then it was all about getting it close enough.
"I felt lucky at times when they kept rolling in but you have to have that sometimes. I holed a lot from six over seven meters out."
Manassero, the youngest-ever European Tour winner when he triumphed at the Castello Masters last October, also looked comoftable in the blistering conditions, reeling off six birdies in his first nine holes -- including four in a row.
India's Jeev Milkha Singh is among a group of three players a further shot behind in joint third, with British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen carded a 69 and world number one Martin Kaymer posted a two-under-par 70.
Meanwhile, Masters champion Charl Schwartzel appeared to be feeling the effects of his Augusta exertions, stumbling to a one-over-par 73.
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