Finn flies high with Kataoka and Chia

Unfancied Jaakko Makitalo of Finland carded a flawless round of six-under-par 65 to share a three-way lead along with Daisuke Kataoka of Japan and Malaysia’s Danny Chia in the US$312,000 Queen’s Cup Bangkok Airways-SAT Samui Golf Tournament yesterday.

Makitalo’s bogey-free round featured six birdies, highlighted by four in a row from holes 11 to 14. It represented a huge rebound from his performance here last year, when he sank an opening 86 in overcast conditions at the monstrous 6,791-yard, par-71 layout.

“I came here this year feeling more confident with my game than last year. I have been practising a lot at home. I’m a little amazed by my game today. My plan for this week is not trying to do anything stupid, hit a lot of fairways and play safe,” said the father of two from Helsinki.

“At the moment, I like the course. I’m happy to be there and hope to stay there. But on this course the winds start blowing in the afternoon, and anything can happen. I’d better take it one shot at a time.”

Japan’s Kataoka, who finished third in last month’s Indonesia Masters, sank five birdies, all on the back nine.

“I putted really well today. I’m glad I was able to pick up form from the last event,” said Kataoka, whose third in Indonesia was his best performance so far on the Asian Tour.

“I’m happy to be among the leaders and I look forward to the next three days where, hopefully, I can remain in contention,” added the 24-year-old Japanese.

Chia, who has the distinction of being the first Malaysian to win an Asian Tour event (the 2002 Taiwan Open), carded seven birdies against a lone bogey on the par-four 12th to share the limelight.

“I’m pleased with how I played, especially my putting. My iron play was also consistent and apart from the last hole where I hit the ball into the water, I’m happy with how the day went. It’s only the first day and I prefer to stay patient. If I see an opportunity, I’ll try to grab it. The putts need to drop more often like today and if they can, it’ll be good,” said Chia.

At lone fourth was Bangladesh’s Mohd Siddikur, who fired a bogey-free 66 to lie a stroke ahead of Pariya Junhasavaikulm, who shot a 67 for fifth place. At joint sixth were Filipino Elmer Salvador and Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand.

“I’m not that excited because this is just the first round. I lost my focus on some holes but overall I was happy with the way I played. Tomorrow I will have to be careful with the first five holes which are quite tough,” said Jazz, a 12th-grade student from Global English School, Nonthaburi.

It was a quiet day for Thai stars, with defending champion Thaworn Wiratchant, last year’s Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, and local young gun Kiradech Abhibarnrat, the current money leader, nowhere near the leaders. Thaworn carded a 73 while Kiradech had a 72. 

 

Mickelson to lead CIMB field

Phil Mickelson will participate in the CIMB Classic, a PGA Tour co-sanctioned event, in Malaysia later this year, organisers said.

Mickelson, winner of 41 PGA Tour events including four major championships, will be joined by the event’s 2012 winner Nick Watney and two other former champions Ben Crane and Bo Van Pelt, organisers said in a statement.

The $7 million tournament – up from $6.1 million the year before – will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club from October 24-27 and make its debut as a fully fledged PGA Tour FedExCup event.

A total of 78 players will vie for the title.

Mickelson, who now ranks number 10 in the world, said he was looking forward to the tournament, which began in 2010. The American has competed in Asia since 2007 but not been to Malaysia before.

“I’m really excited,” Mickelson said, adding that being part of the FedEx Cup “certainly drives the tournament’s competitiveness and encourages the presence of American golfers in the region”.

Last year, US star Tiger Woods led the field. The CIMB Classic is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour.