Roommates Tabuena and Fung on top
TAMSUI: Philippines’ Miguel Tabuena and Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung shared more than just a room together, returning with matching five-under-par 67s to be tied for the first round lead with South Africa’s Keith Horne at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters yesterday.
India’s Ajeetesh Sandhu signed for a 68 to trail the trio by a single shot in fourth place while Thailand’s Danthai Boonma is tied for fifth with Taiwan’s Wang Wei-lun and Lin Yung-lung.
Tabeuna, a two-time Asian Tour winner, enjoyed a bogey-free round while Fung almost matched his roommate’s flawless efforts until a wayward shot at his closing ninth hole saw him drop his only shot of the day which denied him the outright lead in the morning.
Tabuena has enjoyed a proud record at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club, finishing second in 2016. He is pleased to have rediscovered his form which has seen him pass his opening test with flying colours.
Fung also had a round to remember as he returned with his best showing by far at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters.
Horne, who finished tied-second at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters in 2017, has yet to win on the Asian Tour but showed he is ready to contend at a venue which he knows he can excel.
LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES (par-72)
67 — Miguel Tabuena (PHI), Nicholas Fung (MAS), Keith Horne (RSA)
68 — Ajeetesh Sandhu (IND)
69 — Wang Wei-lun (TPE), Danthai Boonma (THA),
Lin Yung-lung (TPE)
70 — Itthipat Buranatanyarat (THA), Huang Hsianghao (TPE), Siddikur Rahman (BAN), Rory Hie (INA), Yeh Wei-tze (TPE), Panuphol Pittayarat (THA), Nitithorn Thippong (THA), Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA), S Chikkarangappa (IND)