Swede Fredrik Jacobson was tied with the American, who was yet to win on the US PGA tour, for 13-under 129 at the Mines Resort and Golf Club.

The 28-year-old Overton, a member of the Ryder Cup team last year, arrived in Malaysia on Tuesday evening after a last-minute notice following the withdrawal of David Duval from the PGA and Asian Tour co-sanctioned event.

The American struggled in the heat and humidity and still with a little bit of jetlag hitting him, he was delighted after completing his round.

“On the first hole, I told my caddie I didn’t think I was going to make it. I’m still a little jet-lagged,” he said.

“I woke up at three this morning and couldn’t go back to sleep. So, really, it’s almost like being up forever.”

Overton hit seven birdies and an eagle on the par four 15th and scorched the course with his new clubs.

“A couple of weeks ago, I changed clubs. My golf has just improved so much. I finished sixth basically the first week I used them, at the McGladrey Classic,” he told reporters.

“I was hitting it really good but kind of struggled with my putter. Today, everything just clicked.

“I think I made one putt outside eight feet. I was hitting everything stone cold, and it was a lot of fun.”

Bo Van Pelt of the US matched Jacobson’s round of 64 to lie one shot behind the leaders.
 

In Shanghai, US Open champion Rory McIlroy shot a 3-under 69 on Friday to increase his lead to two strokes after the second round of the Shanghai Masters.

After opening with a bogey-free 64, McIlroy struggled on the front nine, bogeying the fourth hole and dropping two strokes on the par-4 ninth after driving into the water.
 

 
In Sotogrande, Spain, Sergio Garcia shot a 1-under 70 Friday to move to 2 under and take the clubhouse lead at the Andalucia Masters midway through the second round.

The Spanish golfer chipped in for a birdie-4 at the 11th on his way to matching his first-round score. David Lynn of England was two shots back with a two-round total of 142.

First-round leader Richie Ramsay of Scotland was among the later starters. He shot a 65 on Thursday to lie 6 under.