Thanyakorn takes one-shot lead after first-round 66
Thanyakorn Khrongpha fired a sizzling sixunder-par 66 to take a one-shot lead at the Singha-SAT Championship 2016 in Prachuap Khiri Khan yesterday.
The Khon Kaen native made six birdies in a bogey-free round at Majestic Creek Golf Club and Resort, and was one stroke ahead of Sutijet Kooratanapisan who had seven birdies and two bogeys.
The three-million-baht tournament is the first event under new Professional Golf Association of Thailand president Methee Sudhasa.
Vying for the winner’s cheque of 435,000 baht and his fourth ThaiPGA Tour title, Thanyakorn said that he has been in form since he started playing in Japan recently.
“My experience in Japan has helped me a lot,” he said. “If you keep the ball in the fairway, you have a good chance of getting a birdie.”
Six players were tied for third — Udorn Duangdecha, Pariya Junhasavasdikul, Ronnachai Jamnong, Peradol Panyathanasedh, Phiphatphong Naewsuk and Wisut Artjanawat.
Chapchai Nirat, who missed the cut at the All Thailand Golf Tour’s Hua Hin Open last week, was tied for 13th on 70 along with Thaworn Wiratchant, Poom Saksansin, Nacha Patchana and Thepbadin Amaranan.
In another development, Kiradech Aphibarnrat will tee off at the Players Championship in Florida today.
Thanks to his world ranking, Kiradech is eligible to play in the lucrative tournament for the first time. The world No.42 is grouped with England’s Greg Owen and Scott Pinckney of the US.
It will be his fifth PGA Tour event this year as he aims to secure a tour card at the end of the year.
With his top-50 position in the world rankings at the end of last year, he is eligible to play in at least 12 PGA Tour events this year.
As for world No.49 Thongchai Jaidee, he is taking a break and will return to action at next week’s Irish Open.