Scott Strange of Australia continued his career renaissance when he fired a 6-under 64 to lead in the opening round of the Asia-Pacific Open Mitsubishi Diamond Cup on Thursday.

The 38-year-old struggled in his career when he lost his sister and
mother to cancer in 2008 and 2009 respectively but he is slowly returning to
his best form as he showed at the challenging Otone Country Club, West Course
where he leads by two shots.

Richard T. Lee of Canada, ranked sixth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit,
Won Joon Lee of Australia and Akio Sadakata of Japan trail in second place
after shooting matching 66s at the tournament co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour
and Japan Golf Tour.

Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat and Prayad Marksaeng, who is a nine-time
Asian Tour winner, Kyungtae Kim of Korea and last year’s runner-up Jason
Knutzon of the United States were a further shot back in tied fifth
place. 

"I lost my way until 2013 because my mother (Sylvia) and sister
(Natalie) died of cancer and my good friend past away. After that, I started
thinking there is more to life than golf. Now I’m starting to piece things
together by being a father and playing golf. In some ways, I feel that I’ve matured
at the age of 38!" said Strange.

Strange, a two-time Asian Tour winner started strongly when he birdied
three of his opening four holes and chipped in for eagle on the fourth hole
from 83 yards.

He is enjoying a rich vein of form in Japan where he has two runner-up
results and one tied fourth finish.

"It’s just a combination of some things coming together. I had a rough
time in the last couple of years but I’m coming back to where I was again five
or six years ago. You need some good results to get the confidence going
again," said the Australian, who has also won twice in Europe.