Cejka surprises the field with 64

Unfancied Alex Cejka carded an unblemished 64 to grab a one-shot lead after the opening round of the US$1-million Thailand Golf Championship at the par 72, 7,490-yard Amata Spring Country Club yesterday.

The German fired eight birdies to emerge as the surprise leader after the morning round was dominated by US Open champion Justin Rose, who eventually had to settle for second place along with Thai hope Arnond Vongvanij after a 65.

“I’m really pleased. I hit the ball very well today. The course is in great shape. The greens rolled perfectly. I took a couple of big chances and made birdies,” said the 43-year-old Cejka, who was a familiar face in tournaments played in Thailand in the 1990s. He made the cut two weeks ago in Jakarta and finished 12th in Hong Kong last Sunday.

Young Arnond, winner of the King’s Cup last year, sent a 10-foot-birdie into the cup on the finishing home to put himself in contention. He was making amends for missing out last year when he had to retire after the first round due to back injury.

“I was coming of a win [King’s Cup in Kon Kaen] and was playing well. But I had to retire because of the back injury. It’s something I don’t want to dwell upon anymore,” said Arnond, who was in the same group as American heart-throb Rickie Fowler who used to be his room-mate during their junior years.

“I was feeling comfortable all day. I played the juniors with him back in 2004 or 2005. It felt like playing junior golf again today,” said Arnond.

World No 4 Rose made a strong debut in the tournament as he collected seven birdies, three at the front, for a bogey free round to be the clubhouse leader until the German sank his eighth birdie to steal his thunder. 

“It was a perfect morning to play golf, and the type of morning you wanted to capitalise on. My caddie did a really good job walking the course on Tuesday and told me the lines, and then in the Pro Am yesterday, I felt like I made enough birdies to feel comfortable with the conditions. I feel like I’m reading the greens well. The greens are rolling true. I feel like I’ve got a good eye, good read for the greens, so that helps,” said the five-time PGA winner who was not intimidated by Thai political turmoil and did not hesitate to come here.

“I didn’t really think twice about it at all.  Obviously I saw it on the news there for a little while. I don’t know quite exactly where we are yesterday or today.  It all seemed peaceful to me.”

At lone fourth was India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar who fired a 66 , one shot ahead of compatriot Sujjan Singh and Swedish-Indian Daniel Chopra.

Last year champion Charl Schwartzel kicked off his title defence with a 68 after sinking six birdies against two bogeys which placed him at joint seventh along with Spaniard Sergio Garcia and Singaporean Mardan Mamat.

Current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Kiradech Aphibarnrat carded a 69 to take the 10th place along with Thammanoon Sriroj.

Last year’s runner-up Bubba Watson, Fowler and man of the moment Henrik Stenson of Sweden were at 15th with a 70 each.