Locals on top as Thailand Open returns to Asian Tour

BANGKOK: Local up-and-comer Rattanon Wannasrichan (pictured) stormed up the leaderboard on the first day of the Thailand Open’s return to the Asian Tour after an eight-year hiatus, shooting an impressive 62 alongside Finland’s Janne Kaske.

The 72-par tournament, a national championship that dates back to 1965, is being held under the Asian Tour flag for the first time since it was poached from them by regional rival OneAsia in 2010.

Young prospect Rattanon, ranked 394 in the world, needed just 20 putts to finish off the course on nineunder-par at Bangkok’s Thai Country Club under leaden monsoon skies.

Kaske, a 34-year-old Finn who lives in Bangkok and knows the course well, had a similarly roaring start, birdying a tough three-par sixth hole and making an eagle on the parfive seventh.

His and Rattanon’s 62 are jointly the lowest 18-hole score on the Asian Tour this season, although players were allowed to adjust their fairway balls throughout the day under local preferred lie rules that were in place.

Rattanon said heavy rains the day before aided local players like him.

“The course is playing soft due to the rain yesterday and it was an advantage for me,” the 21-year-old said according to quote put out by the tournament organisers at the end of day one in the $300,000 prize tournament.

“It’s easier to hit iron shots because you can attack the pins and try to hit it closer,” he added.

The top of the leaderboard was dominated by home players by the end of the first day.

Panuphol Pittayarat was two shots behind the leaders on 64, followed by Thai veteran Prayad Marksaen who was sharing fourth with India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar with 65.