Donaldson’s day
Welshman emerges as surprise leader at Thailand Championship
CHON BURI: Jamie Donaldson of Wales fired a superb 63 to take a three-shot lead after the opening round of the Thailand Golf Championship in Chon Buri yesterday.
The Welshman, who is making his debut at the US$1 million tournament, had nine birdies including a streak on the first four holes to grab the lead at Amata Spring Country Club.
He was three shots ahead of Thailand’s Chanat Sakulpolphaisan and Chinnarat Phadungsil, and 2013 winner Sergio Garcia of Spain.
Local rising star Natipong Srithong, who is bidding for his second win of the year, and American Brett Munson were one stroke further down on 67.
World No.68 Donaldson, who is seeking his maiden triumph of the year, was happy with his overall performance yesterday when he didn’t put a foot wrong.
“I played really good all day and never really missed any fairways,” he said.
“I was in a position from which it was difficult to get out but the good par save on nine was the key to keep the momentum going after pushing the tee shot a little bit.”
The Welshman added he wasn’t thinking ahead and would “take it one day at a time.
“The weather’s perfect. You got to stay hydrated and enjoy yourself.”
Chanat, a native of Chon Buri who came to the tournament through Monday’s qualifying event, had seven birdies and a bogey at the 16th.
“I drove the ball quite well and missed just one fairway,” said the 25-year-old Chanat, playing only in his second Asian Tour event after turning pro in June last year.
Chanat, fresh from winning the ADT Tour event last month, said he will stick to the same game plan today and try not to think too much.
“I will try not to think that I am in the leading pack and just focus on my game.”
Natipong returned to form after missing the cut in Vietnam last week by “sticking to his game plan and keeping the ball on fairways to give myself chances.
“Everything clicked for me. I have my coach Somkiat Sungwanphet on my bag and we work together quite well.
“I missed two fairways and it cost me one shot at fourth.
“Last week, I had trouble with strong winds. Today, I took advantage of playing in the morning session when it was calm.”
Natipong, who has skipped his final exams for the tournament, which is a part of the British Open Qualifying Series, said he would need to card rounds of five-under-pars on each of the remaining three days to stand a chance of winning.
“Like other players, I want to win the tournament, but I would be happy if I can just get a ticket to the Open.”
World No.12 Garcia, seeking his second straight win after success in Vietnam last week, made a turn at 35 with two birdies and one bogey and then suffered a bogey at the 10th. However, he fought back to pick up six birdies on the next eight holes.
“Definitely happy, it was a wonderful back nine,” he said.
“Overall I am feeling good. I hit some very good shots throughout the day and I am in a good position going into the next round.”
Tied for seventh on 68 were Martin Kaymer of Germany, Matthew Fitzpatrick of England, Yusaku Miyazato of Japan, Jbe Kruger of South Africa and local hope Phachara Khongwatmai.
Another Thai star Kiradech Aphibarnrat suffered a double bogey at 16 to end the day on 69.
Kiradech, who also had six birdies and a bogey, said: “The way I hit the ball was really well but paid the price for bad putting.”
World No.4 Bubba Watson had a mixed round with five birdies and four bogeys to tie for 33rd on 71 with the likes of defending champion Lee Westwood, Thailand’s Danthai Boonma and Shingo Katayama of Japan.
Scotland’s Simon Yates had a hole-inone at the par-three fifth hole on his way to a 73. He was tied for 60th with a big group of players including Thai world No.28 Thongchai Jaidee who carded three birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey yesterday.
LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES
(Par-72) 63 — Jamie Donaldson (WAL) 66 — Chanat Sakulpolphaisan (THA), Sergio Garcia (ESP), Chinnarat Phadungsil (THA) 67 — Natipong Srithong (THA), Brett Munson (USA) 68 — Yusaku Miyazato (JPN), Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG), Martin Kaymer (GER), Jbe Kruger (RSA), Phachara Khongwatmai (THA) 69 — An Byeong-Hun (KOR), Matthew Giles (AUS), Lee Soo-Min (KOR), Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND), Sam Cyr (USA), Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA), Chikkarangappa S (IND), Joost Luiten (NED), Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA), Darren Clarke (NIR), Angelo Que (PHI) 70 — Panuphol Pittayarat (THA), Kang Sung-Hoon (KOR), Jacques Blaauw (RSA), Berry Henson (USA), Sattaya Supupramai (THA), Mithun Perera (SRI), Nicolas Colsaerts (BEL), Rashid Khan (IND), Sam Brazel (AUS), Shaun Norris (RSA) Selected score 71 — Lee Westwood (ENG)