Brad Kennedy fired a near-flawless seven-under 65 to go top of the leaderboard on the opening day of a scorching Johnnie Walker Classic on Thursday.

The Australian fired birdies on the first two holes and five more on the back nine for a well-deserved lead over a top-class field at the spectacular Blue Canyon Country Club.

"It was a very satisfying round after not the greatest of starts to the year," Kennedy told reporters. "I had a great start, chipping it in on the first for a birdie and hit a great four iron to two-feet on the second."

"I just started to ease my way through the rest of the round after that," added the 32-year-old, who finished 99th at the Malaysian Open last month.

Several big names struggled with the unforgiving Thai heat and the tricky Phuket course, with poor starts for Ernie Els, Ian Woosnam and Adam Scott - all former winners of the $US2.4 million ($A3.05 million) tri-sanctioned tournament.

Four players shared second place with Canada's Mike Weir, Britons Stephen Gallacher and Graeme Storm and Swede Peter Hanson one off the lead.

Weir's eagle on the par-five 11th put him ahead of the pack but bogeys on the problematic 14th and 16th holes ensured Kennedy stayed top of the leaderboard.

"I felt like I was going to play well here, the score was good, but I still feel like I can sharpen up," Weir said.

"I gave myself a lot of chances and opportunities. Hopefully I can do this for the rest of the week."

Australian Scott, who won the title in 2005, suffered a bogey on the second and a double bogey on the fourth to shoot a two-over 74, one behind the 1996 champion Woosnam.

Els, chasing a third Johnnie Walker Classic title, made six birdies on his opening nine but carded a disappointing 73 after struggling to make par on the back nine.

Despite three bogeys and double bogeys on the seventh and the par-four 16th, the South African was positive he could get back on track in the next round.

"I played well and double bogeyed on two easy holes, other than that it was a good round," Els told reporters.

The 2002 champion and world number eight Retief Goosen carded a four-under 68. India's Jeev Milka Singh kept Asia's hopes alive with a creditable 67.

"I putted well today, it's a good feeling, it's been a while," Singh told reporters. "I didn't hit the ball so good, but I made crucial putts."

The event is sanctioned by the Australasian, Asian and European Tours.

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