May 18, 2017: India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar posted a 65 to trail by three shots in fourth place with former winner of the Thailand Open Prayad Marksaeng at the scenic Thai Country Club, a former host venue of the Asian Tour.
Local prospect Rattanon Wannasrichan flew his country’s flag high by taking a share of the clubhouse lead with Janne Kaske of Finland in the ongoing opening round of the Thailand Open on Thursday.
The leading duo signed for matching nine-under-par 62s to stay two shots ahead of Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat in the US$300,000 Asian Tour event, which is returning onto the Asian Tour schedule following an eight-year lapse.
Thai star Kiradech Aphibarnrat rode on a birdie-birdie start to sign for a 66 while American David Lipsky returned with a disappointing 74.
Janne, a two-time winner on the Asian Development Tour (ADT), is playing on a sponsor’s invite this week. Rattanon, who is chasing for a breakthrough win, has enjoyed two top-five results in six starts on the Asian Tour so far this season.
Gaganjeet Bhullar had a good start in the first day with a bogey free round of six-under-par 65 with equal number of 3 birdies at 4th, 7th, and 8th hole in front nine and 10th, 12th and 17th hole at back nine.
“The game’s feeling good. I hit the ball very good and I gave myself a lot of birdie opportunities out there. I putted very well too. I holed about four to five crucial putts which helped. I started pretty solid. I birdied the first and third hole so that gave me a lot of confidence and some momentum heading into the round”, said Bhullar.
Course is in a good shape and the greens are rolling smooth. I am looking forward to the next three days. I think my longest putt was on my first hole on 10 where I nailed a 25-footer. That gave me a good feeling for today. I sank a 12-footer for birdie on 17 as well. It was a crucial putt downhill right to left. It was a good putt.
My best birdie would be on the fourth hole. I hit a driver off the tee and then a six-iron to about 20 feet before making a little curler from right to left. You need to give yourself good looks on the greens to score on this course. As long as you’re on the correct side of the flag and get to a good start, you should be able to do well.
“It’s a good to see such a prestigious event back on the Asian Tour schedule. Thailand is the home of a lot of good Asian Tour players and it always gives us a lot of happiness playing in this part of the world” – Gaganjeet Bhullar
Asian Tour Release
