Young Gun Jazz Takes Opening Lead at Boonchu Ruangkit Championship
Thai young gun Jazz Janewattananond carded an opening eight under-par 63 to take the first round lead in the Bt3.5 Million ADT Boonchu Ruangkit Championship at the Rancho Charnvee Resort and Country Club in Nakhon Ratchasima on Thursday.
The 21-year-old from Hua Hin, in his fourth tournament after a two month holiday break in the US, hit nine birdies against a bogey on the eighth hole for a two shot lead over current money leader Udorn Duangdecha, Danthai Boonman, and the inform Thanyakorn Krongpha at the par 71 6,852 yard landscape.
“You have to be good at everything to shoot eight under in this course. The highlight is my putt. Everything I hit was good,” said Jazz, winner of the All Thailand Tour event in Nakhon Nayok, in May.
“We are playing during Christmas so I just have to be as happy as I can. Boonchu is a legend. So it’s an honour for me to come and play here,” added the Hua Hin based in his second appearance here.
Thanyakorn Khrongpha coming of his second title of the year at the Thai PGA season ending event at home in Khon Kaen last week continued his impressive form with an error free 66.
‘’This is my fourth tournament in a row and I feel a bit tired. But I’m also feeling confident with the title in Khon Kaen,” said the 27-year-old Thanyakorn who successfully kept both cards on the Asian and Japan Tour, finishing at 23 rd and 36 th on both tours respectively.
Udorn, who needs a strong finish this week to win the All Thailand Tour Order if Merits, fired a bogey free 66. The 46-year-old narrowly missed the 2017 No 1 crown on the Thai PGA Tour last week, which was won by Namchok Tantipokhakul.
Three strokes off the lead were the Kingdom’s top 2 players Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat, each with a 66.
“I’m happy with my wood and iron hits but not the putts. I have been playing very well since the practice round on Monday but I have yet to feel my putts. However five under at start is not so bad. There’s still three more days of golf,” said the 47-year-old Thongchai who is having a sore throat.
Like Thongchai, Kiradech had six birdies against a bogey.
“It’s not a bad start at all. I have been striking the ball so well and missed a couple shots. Five under, three shots behind the leader, there is still a lot of chance. I just have to focus and aim high this week,” said Kiradech, looking to end the 14 months drought of title.
