SINGAPORE — Chih Bing Lam upstaged the big names to take a first-round lead at the Singapore Open on Thursday in a bid to become the first local player ever to win the tournament.

Lam birdied three of the final four holes to finish with a 4-under 67 and the clubhouse lead over Australia's Marcus Both (68) in a round delayed by lightning. Play was halted because of darkness with almost half the field unable to finish the opening round.

South Africa's Ernie Els, who lost this tournament in a playoff in 2006 before missing the cut last year, was three under after 14 holes when play was called off, leaving him tied for second on the leaderboard with England's Oliver Wilson and India's Digvijay Singh.

Phil Mickelson, who lost his world No. 2 ranking to Spain's Sergio Garcia last week, shot a 2-over 73 and is six strokes off the pace in the $5 million event.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington, winner of two majors in 2008, shot a 1-over 72, while two-time winner Adam Scott of Australia struggled with a 5-over 76.