Prom a shot behind Iwata in British Open qualifier
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Japan's Hiroshi Iwata edged closer to making his return to the world's oldest major after a first-round four-under 68 saw him take his place atop the leaderboard at the British Open Qualifying Series-Thailand yesterday.
Thailand’s Prom Meesawat and Singapore’s Koh Dengshan also remained in the hunt for a place when they posted matching 69s to share second place with Spain’s Carlos Pigem and Japan’s Akinori Tani at the 36-hole qualifying event which is held at Amata Spring Country Club.
The hotly contested two-day qualifier has brought together an international field of 75 players from 18 countries who are vying for one of the four places to the British Open, which will be held at Royal Liverpool, Hoylake from July 17-20.
Iwata is clearly hoping to tee up against the world’s best players at the Open again after making his debut in 2008.
“It was a great round of golf today. I’m proud to be able to lead despite the windy conditions. It’s far from over and anything can happen tomorrow. I’m going to try my best. I missed the cut when I played in the British Open in 2008. Hopefully, I can make my return again this year and do better,” said Iwata.
Koh surpassed all expectations by signing for a 69 in what was only his first outing at the Amata Spring Country Club.
“To shoot a 69 is indeed very satisfying. I hit the ball well but it was my putting that really got me this good score,” said Koh. Meanwhile Prom continued to ride on his rich vein of form by trading four birdies against a lone bogey to stay on track of making his second appearance at the Open.
“This is a tough course and the best way to approach the qualifier is to keep a relaxed attitude. I put too much pressure on myself in the past and that really backfired on me,” said Prom.
First-round scores (a- denotes amateur):
68 – Hiroshi Iwata (Jpn).
69 – Carlos Pigem (Esp), Prom Meesawat (Tha), Akinori Tani (Jpn), Koh Deng Shan (Sin).
70 – Michael Tran (Vnm), Arnond Vongvanij (Tha), Lee Sung (Kor), Pan Cheng-Tsung (Am, Tpe), Daisuke Kataoka (Jpn), David Lipsky (US), Adam Groom (Aus), Berry Henson (US), Yusaku Miyazato (Jpn).
71 – Unho Park (Aus), Baek Seuk-hyun (Kor), Rahil Gangjee (Ind), Mardan Mamat (Sin), Anthony Kang (US), Jazz Janewattananond (Tha), Aaron Townsend (Aus).
72 – Wu Ashun (Chn), Masahiro Kawamura (Jpn), Wade Ormsby (Aus), Prayad Marksaeng (Tha), James Bowen (US), Yoshinobu Tsukada (Jpn).
73 – Chiragh Kumar (Ind), Sam Cyr (Usa), Lionel Weber (Fra), Jack Munro (Aus), Chinnarat Phadungsil (Tha), Azuma Yano (Jpn), Masaru Takahashi (Jpn).
Selected scores
74 – Anirban Lahiri (Ind)
78 – Siddikur Rahman (Ban)
