Asian Tour – 28 June 2018: Thai talent Poom Saksansin took advantage of his solid iron-play to sign for an opening eight-under-par 63, grabbing a one-shot lead over countryman Jazz Janewattananond at the Queen’s Cup presented by Bangchak on Thursday.
Indians had moderate success as they tried to make their presence felt at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in Thailand.
Gaganjeet Bhullar was inside the top ten for a while, but finished the day at 3-under 68, lying with 20 golfers at T25. Khalin Joshi and Viraj Madappa signed on similar cards of 69, as did Rashid Khan.
Jeev Milkha Singh played one of his better rounds in recent times. Starting on the 10th hole, Jeev was two under before a couple of bogeys on the return stretch dragged him back to even par. But a birdie at the par-5 7th hole helped the veteran golfer end the day with a 70.
Himmat Rai and Chikkarangappa also shot 70s in the first round. Chiragh Kumar is one over at 72 and Honey Baisoys is a further stroke behind at 73.
Poom, a two-time Asian Tour winner, nailed eight birdies before dropping a shot on 17 for his only blemish of the day. The 25-year-old Thai, however, recovered swiftly with a birdie on the last to take his place atop the leaderboard at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club.
Jazz, who will be making his Major debut at The Open next month, returned with a bogey-free round highlighted by seven birdies to sit in second place at the US$300,000 event, which is celebrating its 10th straight edition on the region’s premier Tour this week.
Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh, who was flawless with six birdies, shared third place with American Paul Peterson and Danthai Boonma of Thailand on matching 65s. Peterson came home with four straight birdies while Danthai got off to a birdie-eagle start en route to their 65s.
Jbe Kruger of South Africa recorded the first hole-in-one of the week when he aced the par-three 16th hole with a gap wedge from 145 yards. He trails by three shots in tied-sixth place following a 66.
Defending champion Nicholas Fung of Malaysia posted a 72 to tie in 103rd place at the Queen’s Cup, which welcomed a new presenting sponsor in Bangchak Corporation, one of Thailand’s leading energy companies, this season.
