Donaldson Takes the Lead

The three-time European Tour winner who secured the winning point for Europe in the 2014  Ryder Cup kicked off in style with four straight birdies before generated five more at the back nine to steal the show on the opening day from big names and  Major champions like Bubba Watson of the US, Martin Kaymer of Germany, Darren Clarke of Ireland, and Y.E. Yang of South Korea.

“I played really good all day. I never really missed any fairways,” said the world No 68 . “Position is going to be difficult to get out of but the good par save on nine was the key to keep the momentum going after pushing the tee shot a little bit. I got up and down there from about 20 feet. Overall, I’m happy with my score. I couldn’t really do things wrong today,” said the 40-year-old who resides in Macclesfield UK.

“I just need to continue this form for the next few days. I will just try to keep playing well and not concentrate on things that are out of my control or ahead of me. I just want to stay in the presence as they say and take it one day at a time,” added Donaldson in his  tournament debut.

Little known hometown boy Chanat  who just battled it out for one of the six qualifying slots on Monday fired seven birdies against a lone bogey on the 16 th to share the joint second with the world No 12 Spaniard and three-time Asian Tour winner Chinnarat.

“My driving shots went well except on the 16^th where I drove to the rough and ended up with a bogey. My plan was to hit the fairways and tried to save par if not shooting birdies,” said Chanat who turned professional in June last year after finishing a degree in Business Administration from Mississippi State University. The 25-year-old was just playing in his second Asian Tour event after the Queen’s Cup in Samui earlier this year and just celebrated  his first Asian Development Tour in Malaysia two weeks ago.

Fresh from winning his first title in a year in Vietnam on Sunday, the former winner Garcia continued his impressive form by sinking eight birdies versus two bogeys for a 66.

“ It was wonderful back nine. I felt like I played well on the front nine. There were a couple of shots that I hit well – like on six – that took a back turn. The same sort of thing happened on eight. The ball was going far so it was difficult to guess some of the iron shots but, yeah, in the end overall obviously I am very happy with shooting five under on the back nine,” said the the 35 year old player  who won his 23 rd career title in Vietnam on Sunday.

A stroke behind at fifth along with American Brett Munson was  22-year-old senior laws student of Thammasat University Natipong Srithong after a first round  67.

“I played according to my game plan by hitting the fairways. On this course you have to hit the fairways to create the scoring chances or otherwise you would get into trouble. I missed only two fairways today and everything I did was right today,” said the Thai rising star who just won his maiden title in the Resorts World Manila Masters  three weeks ago.

Two-time Major winner Martin Kaymer who lost to last year’s winner Lee Westwood by one stroke fired a bogey free 68.

“It was a tough day as it was very hot but I played really solid. Didn’t make any bogeys and hit a lot of fairways, especially on the back nine. My putting was good and the only fairway I missed was on 16 but I had a good save there for par. So overall four under par is a very good start,’’ said the world No 27 who will turn 31 on December 28.

Also handing out the scorecard of 68 were Briton young gun Matthew Fitzpatrick, the eldest of the Miyazato siblings Yusaku of Japan,  South African Jbe Kruger, and Thai Phachara Khongwatmai.

Thai No 2 Kiradech Aphibarnrat settled with a 69 along with 2014 ADT winner Pavit Tangkamolprasert and marquee player Clarke, the 2011 Open winner.

Defending champion Westwood opened his title defence campaign in a quiet fashion with a 71, also achieved by  a World No 4 Bubba Waston and Thai teenage star Danthai Moonma.

The Kingdom’s ace Thongchai Jaidee was no where near his best as he opened with a 73 just like fellow countrymen Prayad Marksaeng and Prom Meesawat.