Els trailing early leader Kennedy

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PHUKET, Thailand -- Two-time winner Ernie Els is trailing after the first round of the Johnnie Walker Classic in Thailand as he struggled to a one-over par 73 on Thursday.

The big South African is eight strokes adrift of early leader Brad Kennedy of Australia.

Despite his poor scoring, Els said he was happy with his game and fired up to bounce back on Friday.

"I actually played well," said Els. "I had two double bogeys on easy holes. If it wasn't for that, I would have had a pretty good round."

Els slipped up on the seventh when he picked the wrong club and had a bad lie, and on the 16th when he pulled his tee shot into the trees.

But he is not overly concerned and know he can get back among the leaders.

"There is a lot of golf left," he said. "Obviously this is not the way you want to start but I made six birdies. I need a really low score somewhere along the lines. Hopefully it can be on Friday.

"The course is in really good shape. If you hit on the fairways you can have a good time but the rough is really up, so hitting it makes it very difficult."

Electric form

The world number six, a regular visitor to Asia, started his season in electric form, finishing third at the Qatar Masters, second at the Dubai Desert Classic and third at the Nissan Open.

But a first-round exit at the Accenture Match Play Championship last week hinted at what might be in store here.

Kennedy shot a seven-under-par 65, with the 2003 Masters champion Mike Weir of Canada, Stephen Gallacher of Scotland, Peter Hanson of Sweden and Graeme Storm of England trailed one stroke behind the leader on 66.

Of the other big names, world number four Adam Scott of Australia struggled to a two-over par 74, but South African Retief Goosen, showed steadier form, carding four-under 68 to land at joint 10th and Scotland's Colin Montgomerie opened with a 69.

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