Poom makes the most of dry weather to lead at Queen's Cup

The Thai, who won a team gold in the SEA Games but only earned his tour card early this year, reeled off five birdies on holes 6,9, 11, 15 and 19 to take full charge at the 6,823-yard hilly landscape, which was dampened by heavy downpours in the afternoon, prompting suspension of play.

 “I played well right from the tee-off. I hit the fairways and put myself in good positions to score. You have to drive well on this course otherwise the ball will land in water,” said Poom, whose portfolio is decorated with a Singha Masters title in Chiang Rai this year. The Chanthaburi-native, who turned 21 on Wednesday, has played in six Asian Tour events with a 15th placed finish in the Solaire Open in the Philippines as his best result. Poom, who is making his maiden appearance in the island tournament, which offers total prize money of US$300,000, said past experience suggested he should take some risks to make a difference to his game.

 “I often land in good positions on the first day of tournaments but then I started playing safe the next day and failed to make the cuts. This time I decided to be more aggressive because it’s make or break,” said Poom, in his first year at Ramkhamhaeng University.

While Poom completed his round in dry weather, 68 players, including 2009 champion Chinnarat Phadungsil, are yet to finish due to the tropical rain that halted play at 4.20pm. Chinnarat, propelled by an eagle on the 18th, was four-under after 16 holes which saw him seize lone second.

Chon Buri-based Donlaphatchai Niyomchon sank four birdies against a lone bogey on the seventh to fire a 68, which placed him at joint third along with former national player Varut Chomchalam.

“I am still trying to get used to the course. It’s a tough course with the winds changing directions all the time,” said the 24-year-old Donlaphatchai. India’s Shankar Das was three-under with one more hole to finish on the ninth. A stroke behind at joint sixth were Zamal Hossain of Bangladesh, Thai Rattanon Wannasrichan, Steve Lewton of England and Switzerland’s Martin Rominger, each with a 69.