"I played well today, struck the ball solid, kept it in play, hit one bad drive and got away with it," the 41-year-old, who holed out from 146 yards for the eagle, told reporters. "It worked out pretty good."
World number three Scott, the defending champion, was one of five players to sign for a 68, with South Korean Jeong Jin and Australian Tom Bond also at four-under before the lightning warnings halted them at the 12th and ninth holes respectively.
Scott, who was raised on the Gold Coast, had three birdies and an eagle in his round to sit level in the clubhouse with compatriots Wade Ormsby, Craig Hancock and James Marchesani as well as New Zealander David Smail.
The hometown favourite said he was pleased with his efforts after failing to break par in his opening rounds at the Australian Masters and Australian Open over the last few weeks, where he fought back to finish in the top five of both.
"It was a pretty solid start. I can always find reason to be better but I think I'll take that, considering the starts I've got off to the last couple of weeks," the 2013 U.S. Masters champion said.
"I didn't make a ton of putts today, so if you can have a hot day with the putter certainly getting in at eight-under in a day is not unrealistic around here."
More storms are predicted for Friday, when play will resume at 0530 for those who hadn't finished their first rounds.
Despite the weather forecasts, tournament organisers were optimistic of completing the event by Sunday.
(Writing by Patrick Johnston in Singapore)
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