May 09, 2018: Baby-faced Rattanon Wannasrichan of Thailand rode on a hot putter to sign for a solid opening round of six-under-par 65, seizing the clubhouse lead by one shot at the weather-disrupted AB Bank Bangladesh Open on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old Rattanon, who enjoyed a top-five result in the last edition, got his campaign off to a great start after firing seven birdies against a bogey to take his place atop the leaderboard in the US$300,000 Asian Tour event.
Indian stalwart M Dharma and Tour rookie Jack Harrison of England posted matching 66s to share second place while Asian Development Tour (ADT) graduate John Catlin of the United States settled two shots off the pace in fourth following a 67 at the Kurmitola Golf Club.
Dharma shot six birdies and a lone bogie to finish with five-under-par 66. Other Indian trio Divyanshu Bajaj, Jeev Milkha Singh and Sanjeev Kumar are lying at T7 during an incomplete first round, suspended for poor weather.
“I drove the ball really well today. I missed only three fairways and hit 14 greens today. I hit the ball really good and was able to hit it close to the pins as well. I three-putted on one hole but other than that, it was a great round.
On the second hole, I made a 25-footer for birdie. That kind of kick-started my round today. I birdied again from four-feet on the fifth hole and then sank another seven-footer for birdie on seventh. On the eighth, I made a 14-footer.
I played the two ADT events here earlier and I like this golf course. I finished well in the first ADT event here in January and I felt really confident coming back here this week. This is a ‘placement’ golf course. You need to be accurate off the tees.
If you miss the fairways, it’s going to be very tough to make pars. I am really pleased with the way I played today. I hope I can continue to do the same for the next three rounds”, said Dharma.
Play was suspended at 12.17pm local time due to lightning threats before resuming four hours later. All 72 players in the afternoon session will return to complete their opening rounds at 6.20am on Thursday with the second round slated to start at approximately 8.00am.
American Berry Henson, highest-ranked player in ninth place on the Habitat for Humanity Standings, grabbed a share of seventh place following a 69 while local hero Siddikur Rahman carded a 72 to tie in 58th position.
Asian Tour Release
