Thailand's Udorn Duangdecha posted a seven-under-par 65 to take the first round lead at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters.

The 38-year-old carded birdies on the fifth and sixth holes at the Taiwan Golf and Country club before holing an eagle on the 460-yard par-five seventh to reach the turn in 32.

Udorn then added three more birdies coming home to secure a two-stroke lead over Chinese Taipei's Chan Yih-shin, who carded a 67 to take second place.

Australian rookie Matthew Griffin was a shot further behind in third following a 68 while compatriot Gavin Flint was alongside Lu Chien-soon and Tsai Chi-huang of Chinese Taipei in a share of fourth place following matching 69s.

"I was very focused on my game right from the start," said Udorn. "I told myself that I've to putt well if I want to win this tournament and it worked out really well.

"I'm very lucky that the good weather played a part in my solid play today and I hope that this luck can also stay with me throughout the week."

Chan meanwhile stayed on course for his maiden win on the Asian Tour by carding a blemish-free round highlighted by five birdies.

The 32-year-old delighted the home crowd gathered at the Tamsui course by reeling in birdies on the fifth, seventh, 11^th 14^th and 15^th holes.

Griffin held true to his promise of seeking early success during his rookie year on the Asian Tour when he marked his card with five birdies and a lone bogey to stake a place among the early contenders at the popular Asian Tour event.

Flint also kept alive his hopes of a career breakthrough on the Asian Tour when he mixed five birdies against two bogeys.

Home crowd favourites Lin Wen-tang and Lu Wen-teh of Chinese Taipei meanwhile returned with matching 71s to head into the second round in tied-10^th place.

Philippines Juvic Pagunsan was forced to retire from the tournament after suffering a wrist injury.