Triple Major winning Padraig Harrington admitted he is paying a heavy price in terms of sweat loss in being an extra 14 pouns heavier on the opening day of the Maybank Malaysian Open.

Harrington still played well enough in signing for a respectable three under par 69 in the sauna like conditions on the Kuala Lumpur Golf Club course.

“Three under par is a reasonable return as I had a lot of chances and hit a lot of good putts – some didn’t go in, so I feel like I could’ve had a a really low one, but I’m not disappointed with three under,” said the Dubliner.

“I missed a couple of short ones early on, but they weren’t bad putts. Then I made a few birdies and it gave me some comfort.

“I made a fortunate birdie on the 16th. I hit a good tee shot but it plugged in the rough and it took us four minutes to find it. But I got a good drop and hit it to 20 feet and managed to hole the putt. That was a big bonus.

“But I’m normally very good in the heat but I’m suffering. I usually don’t sweat very much, but this 14 pounds extra weight is costing me at the moment.

“I’ve never ever sweated like I’ve sweated last week and this week. I’m pumping out sweat.”

Harrington is no stranger to Malaysia and the sweltering conditions having contested the event eight times from 1999 to 2006.

During those appearances Harrington’s never missed the cut and was 4th on debut and then runner-up two years running in 2000 and 2001.

An electrical storm, and so common in the staging of the co-sanctioned event, meant that a good many players failed to complete their first round.

Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat took full advantage before the stoppage shooting a seven-under par 65 to be one shot clear of four players who shot 66s – Denmark’s Anders Hansen, Italy’s Edoardo Molinari and Frenchman Gregory Bourdy.

But most eyes will be on Scotland’s Scott Jamieson when the first round resumes Friday morning local time with the Glaswegian having moved to six under par after just 10 holes when play was halted.