Storm was seven under after 13 holes in Thailand

R1 LEADERBOARD:
-7 B Kennedy (Aus)
-6 S Gallacher (Sco), G Storm (Eng), P Hanson (Swe), M Weir (Can)
-5 S Gardiner (Aus), R Lee (NZ), JM Singh (Ind), G McDowell (NI)

England's Graeme Storm and Scotland's Stephen Gallacher both posted rounds of 66 to lie one shot off the first-round lead at the Johnnie Walker Classic.

The British pair are alongside Peter Hanson and Mike Weir at six under in a share of second, with Australia's Brad Kennedy out on his own in the lead.

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell is one of four players on five under.

But world number four Adam Scott and number six Ernie Els both struggled in the humid conditions in Phuket.

Scott finished at three over after a 74, nine shots off the pace, while Els is a shot further ahead on 73.

England's Paul Casey also found it hard to make an impression, ending on one under with Colin Montgomerie still in contention at three under.

Storm made five birdies and an eagle, with a sole bogey at the 16th spoiling his scorecard, while Gallagher made six birdies on the Blue Canyon Country Club course.

Kennedy has not enjoyed the best of starts to the season, but said he felt back in good form.

"Probably the last time I felt like I had control of the golf ball like I did today was at the Singapore Open in November," said Kennedy.

"I didn't hit too many rough shots. This golf course, you've really got to think your way through.

"It's not a long hitter's course by any means so if you hit the fairways you are always going to be in with a chance."

Els said he was not too downhearted with his performance, with two double bogeys and two bogeys ruining a round that also contained six birdies.

"I actually played well - I had two double bogeys on easy holes," said Els.