Sattaya maintains blazing form

Thai Sattaya Supuppramai, who won the Asian Development Tour title last week, maintained his blazing form with a 6-under 66 to share the lead with Indonesia’s George Gandranata in the star-studded US$750,000 Chiang Mai Golf Classic at the par 72, 7,541-yard Alpine Golf Resort yesterday.

The Ratchaburi native fired seven birdies against one bogey on the 12th hole to take the lead along with Gandranata who also had one bogey and seven birdies.

 “I am feeling great right now especially coming from my victory last week. I don’t feel much different coming from a smaller event to a bigger one. Golf is the same as I have to concentrate on my game. In the past I pushed too much in bigger events and didn’t do well,” said the 31-year-old who cited his improved form to mentor Pompet Saraputthi who also coaches Kiradech Aphibarnrat.

“He tells me how to concentrate and relax before and after the game. I’m a better player now than I was a few years ago. I play shot by shot and stick to the present and try not to think too much ahead,” added Sattaya, or “Jet”, who lead for the first time in the Asian Tour International at the Pattana Golf Club in 2008, his rookie year.

A stroke behind in lone third was the 47-year-old Mamat, who fired seven birdies against two bogeys before finishing with a 67 on the opening day where big-names including the 2011 Masters champion Scharl Schwartzel of South Africa struggled to find momentum.

Being among the leaders here could not have come at a better time for Mamat who is battling to save his Tour card, with only one top-30 finish this year from 15 tournaments.

“It was a strange day for me because I hit the ball so good and everything came together at the right time. Driving is important on this course because of the rough. I’m happy with my performance so I hope I can continue my form,” said Mamat, the winner of three Asian Tour titles.

“There were a lot of thoughts in my mind. After last week, I told myself to stop thinking about saving my Asian Tour card and just play my own game and enjoy myself. I want to concentrate and do what I’m supposed to do. I don’t have any expectations this week. I just want to get better and play without expectations,” the Singaporean said.

 A stroke behind at joint fourth were Rashid Khan and Jyoti Randhawa of India, Taiwan’s Lu Wei-chih, Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung, Austarlia’s Scott Barr, Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat and South Africa’s Bryce Easton.

Kiradech Aphibarnrat hit a 69 to take joint 11th place along with 2014 PGA Championship winner Jason Dufner.

“This is a good start judging from how tough this course is. The rough is high making it very difficult to get out of there if you hit in the wrong direction. I’m quite confident with my game now. When you start a tournament with a few shots off the lead, you have to keep up with the good work and try to win,” said the 25-year-old 2014 Asian Tour No 1.

Defending champion Scott Hend of Australia finished with an even par to take the 49th position. South African Schwartzel was no where near his best as he hit a 77.

Paradorn Srichaphan, the former tennis world No 9 who entered the tournament as an amateur, hit an 80 to be 136th out of 144 players.