JAKARTA, July 14 -- New Zealand's golfer Michael Hendry, in his efforts to defend his champion of the Indonesia Open, led the first round lead at Damai Indah Golf - Pantai Indah Kapuk Course, a press statement said here on Thursday.

Henry won the title by seven shots last year at the same venue with a final round seven-under-par 65 and began his defense today with the same score.

Japanese star Hideto Tanihara and Australians David Bransdon, Steve Collins and Leigh McKechnie, who made a hole in one on 15, all shot 67 in the 1 million U.S. dollars-tournament.

"I don't think the course has changed that much since last year so I have a bit of an advantage over the rest of the field having won here last time. I set a goal for myself this week to make sure I am in contention come Sunday and I have made a great start. I am just playing it as another tournament and not putting any pressure on myself," Hendry said.

The 31 year old started his round on the back nine and made birdies on 11, 14 and 18. On his homeward stretch he birdied three, four, six and seven.

"Perhaps I could have driven the ball a little better today but I played really well and missed a bunch of short putts that could have seen me shoot much lower," he added.

Meanwhile, Tanihara was in trouble off the tee on the final hole and made a bogey five to fall back into a tie for second.

"It was disappointing to finish like that as it was my only bogey but I played very well and feel I have a good chance this week. Tomorrow I will get to play in the morning when there should be less wind so I hope to make a move then," said Tanihara.

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