Atiruj ‘The Dragon’ makes short work of Palm Course

PETALING JAYA: Thailand’s Atiruj Winaicharonechai lived up to his nickname – “The Dragon” – by making a fiery start at the MPI Saujana Amateur Championship.

The 16-year-old tamed the famed Palm Course of the Saujana Golf and Country Club with a five-under 67 – comprising an eagle, six birdies and three bogeys – for the first-round lead yesterday.

He leads by a shot from Taiwan’s Chen Yi-tong.

Meanwhile Thailand’s Witchayanon Chothirunrungrueng, the runner-up of last week’s Malaysian Amateur Open, continued his impressive display as he posted a 69 for a share of third spot with Singapore’s Joshua Ho.

Malaysian Amateur Open champion Sadom Kaewkanjana kicked off his bid for a second win with a solid 70 – tying for fifth with Australian Lachlan Barker and Singapore’s Gregory Foo.

United States-based duo Ervin Chang and Danial Durisic, playing their first local event in 10 months, are the best Malaysian finishers after carding identical 71s to be joint eighth.

SEA Games-bound Ervin was contented with his opening day’s effort after trading six birdies with a bogey and two double bogeys.

“Perhaps I could have done better at hole No. 8. I was too eager to maintain my three-under score ... made the wrong decision and was punished with a double bogey.

“I will try to make up ground tomorrow. I will be more patient,” said Ervin, who has just completed his first-year study at the Liberty University in Virginia.

National No. 1 Galven Kendall Green could only manage a three-over 75 to be joint 21st.