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Lee Westwood shot a 12-under-par 60 - the best round of his career - to establish a five-shot lead on day one of the Thailand Golf Championship.

The Englishman carded 10 birdies and an eagle at the Amata Spring Country Club.

"I made a dream start and you start thinking about 59, I guess," said Westwood, the world number three.

Westwood set the tone for his round with birdies at one, three, four and five and an eagle at the par-five second.

"I guess 59 is one of those numbers where if it is meant to be, it is meant to be. I messed it up with a few pars!"

American John Daly is Westwood's closest challenger after the two-time major winner carded a 65.

He picked up another shot at the seventh to reach the turn in 29 and a further five birdies coming home maintained his momentum.

Westwood's round was even more remarkable given the tricky wind in Chonburi.

"It's not really a 60 course," he added. "It was a bit breezy out there.

"[Caddie] Billy [Foster] said he thought he had seen the best round of golf ever when I shot 62 at the Nedbank a few weeks ago but he said that was better today, so I am making progress!"