Kiradech one behind leader
Carlsson sets pace with opening 66, holder Wood starts with 72 at European PGA Championship
>> WENTWORTH: Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat shot a five-under-par 67 to end the day in joint second after the first round of the European PGA Championship on Thursday.
The burly star, who has won three European Tour titles, was tied for second with Italy’s Francesco Molinari and Scott Jamieson of Scotland.
They were one shot behind Sweden’s Johan Carlsson who shot a 66.
There were a cluster of players on 68 including British Open champion Henrik Stenson and his fellow Swede Alex Noren as the field enjoyed perfect scoring conditions on a revamped West Course without ripping it to pieces.
Carlsson missed six successive cuts recently but found some form at the China Open where he finished 24th and in Sicily last week where he was 18th.
He had three birdies from the third to help him to an outward nine of 30 and came back in 36, one-under par, spoiling his chance to have a bigger lead with bogey at the par-five 18th.
Despite his poor form earlier this season the 30-year-old has always had one eye on this tournament — the European Tour’s flagship event.
“This week is a big week and I’ve always had that goal in mind,” he said after his round.
“This is going to be a tournament to get it around no matter what; play with what you have, and that’s what I did.”
Kiradech was out in 31 and held his back nine together whilst Molinari made the most of the two finishing par-fives, recording birdies at both.
Stenson, who won the British Open at Troon last summer, missed three cuts in the United States before finishing tied for 16th at the Players’ Championship at Sawgrass and did not get his round going until the back nine.
He was level par going out before racking up four birdies coming home to get to within two shots of his countryman Carlsson.
Another on four under was Ireland’s Shane Lowry along with Welshman Bradley Dredge and Italy’s Nino Bertasio and South African Branden Grace.
Defending champion Chris Wood shot an even par 72.