On Sunday, the Spaniard claimed the IRS Prima Malaysian Open – the season-opener on the Asian Tour – and he now has the lead in the first International Series event of 2024 after shooting a seven-under-par 65, matching the course record.

Fellow LIV Golf player, Joaquin Niemann from Chile, carded a 66 playing in the same group to sit in solo second, while his close friend and compatriot Mito Pereira is next best placed with a 67, along with Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz, Australian Kevin Yuan and Manav Shah from the United States.

This marks Puig’s third successive bogey-free round in the low 60s – he fired back-to-back 62s to win in Malaysia for his second Tour title – and yet the 22-year-old Arizona-based golfer is taking it all in his stride.

“I think this is my form,” he said.

“I improved a lot off the tee and it’s showing now for sure, and my short game has usually been my strength. I feel the last two rounds last week and today’s round have actually been pretty average in terms of that’s where I want to be, but I can do better.

“Obviously, the scores are good. I have had three bogey-free rounds in a row. Which is crazy but I practice for that.”

He birdied four on the bounce from the 5th and made three other birdies.

“We had a good game with Taichi (Kho) and Joaquin, obviously. We helped each other to keep playing better. So, it was great fun and the dynamic was good. Joaquin started a little better than me with that eagle on 3 but I kind of bounced back. We were pretty far under-par for seven, eight holes which obviously helps but it was great fun,” he added.

Sydney's Kevin Yuan was the pick of the Aussies in Oman, signing for a five-under 67 on day one. PHOTO: Getty Images.

Puig won the International Series Singapore last year for his maiden victory as a pro and appears to be getting stronger and more confident week after week.

Niemann started today’s round after receiving news he has been invited to play in April’s Masters, and that welcoming news was clearly reflected in his performance.

He was also bogey-free and made an eagle, and four birdies.

“It was a great day. I started off pretty good, with a birdie and then eagle on 3. I kept hitting it well until the end of the round. I think my putter went a little bit off on the back nine but yes it was a good round but could have been better,” The Australian Open champion said.

“It’s a good course, I like playing here. You have to hit different shots off the tee and to the green you must be a little bit creative with the wind, so it was fun, especially with David who was playing great. We had a good time, especially the way we were playing.”

Like Puig, the Torque GC captain has been one of the game’s in-form players. He shot a stunning 59 on his way to a thrilling play-off victory at the season-opening LIV Golf Mayakoba event in February, and triumphed in the Australian Open, also in extra-time back in December.

Sydneysider Kevin Yuan was the pick of the Aussies, two shots back from Puig at five-under-par, while veteran Scott Hend is in a tie for 14th at three-under along with Travis Smyth and ten others.

Defending champion Takumi Kanaya from Japan fired a 70 and is tied for 26th.