Higgins’ round included seven birdies and just the one dropped shot in sweltering conditions that threatened a downpour for much of the day.

But the position he finds himself in is a far cry from the toil he endured last year as he travelled the globe, battling to reclaim his place among the elite.

Higgins said: “The Challenge Tour is very tough and we travel all over the world. It’s a grind more than anything. Every last penny counts.

“You are not there to make money, you are out there to get here. That is what is on your mind the whole year.

“If you don’t get that top 15 it has been a very bad year. It is tough graft. There is a lot of pressure on you.

“I played a lot last year because on the Challenge Tour you’re all over the place, from Kenya to South America and I just got my card back.

“I felt I could play the four events at the start of the season but I couldn’t – I had overplayed.

“This is the start of a new year for me and I feel fresh, which is the most important thing for me, and that is showing in the scores.

“Each year you set new goals. I have been on this tour before and I know what I am capable of and how I am playing.

“Obviously, the first thing is to keep my card but I want to get into contention as I am now in as many tournaments as I can, and maybe even win. I feel my game is good enough to do so.”

Dyson, who did not drop a shot all day, was happy to be treading familiar turf after his year spent on the Asian Tour in 2000.

Then still a 22-year-old novice, Dyson won three titles and was rookie of the year, ensuring each return to this part of the world is one he welcomes.

“I’ve got a lot of friends out here and whenever you’re here everyone is hospitable,” he said.

“The heat is not the best to play in but you have to get used to it.

“I don’t know why I go so well out here. The year I played out here I had three wins, three seconds, a third and just seemed to play really well. I think it is all to do with the putter – it worked that year.

“I have been struggling a bit but it is starting to come back to how it was, hopefully.

“My putting needs a bit of work as I haven’t been striking the ball well but I feel really refreshed and I am looking forward to the rest of the tournament.”

Wang’s round started with two birdies within three holes and four followed in five holes later on.

He picked up a further two shots, but closed his round with a bogey, his second of the day at a course he claims suits him.

“It’s been a good start and I’m happy with how I performed,” he said. “The greens here are similar to the courses back in Taiwan, so that helped.”

Jaidee, who made eight birdies, is looking to turn his second-place finish in the Malaysian Open a fortnight ago into a victory here.

He said: “After Malaysia I worked on my game and I was very happy with how I was doing. I came here with a positive feeling and I hope to deliver a good result.

“If my putting works well, then there’s a strong chance for me. Today, my drives and my irons were perfect.

“I only missed two fairways which resulted in the only two bogeys I had.”