Panuwat, Kasidit, Namchok Take Joint Lead
] Rayong - Red hot Panuwat Muenlek fired a bogey free 66 to take the three-way lead along with Kasidit Lepkurte and Namchok Tantipokhakul after the opening round of the BT2 Million Singha Championship at the par 71 6,948 yard Rayong Green Valley Club
The 31-year-old from Bangkok who just celebrated his third Asian Development Tour title in Malaysia last week produced five birdies in the first 10 holes to take a joint lead in the fourth circuit of the All Thailand Golf Tour under the mixed weather condition of rain and highly humid.
“I had a perfect day, hitting the woods, the irons and the putters well. I just hoped that I could have earned more birdies in the last three holes but I missed just a little bit,” said Panuwat, hoping to make a back-to-back title.
“Wining last week really gives me a good boost coming to this tournament. I last won a local tour in Khon Kaen six years ago but it was the PGA Thailand Tour. I really want to win this All Thailand Golf Tour for the first time because it’s my sponsor tournament,” added Panuwat.
2015 SEA Games team gold medallist Kasidit fired six birdies against a lone bogey on the 17 th hole. It was a rebound for the young gun who missed two cuts from the Asian Development Tour in Malaysia and Taiwan last month.
“I came back home to work hard on my putt after I missed two straight cuts. It really bore fruits as I putt quite well under this challenging golf course as there are many slopes,” said Kasidit.
Namchok also had one bogey on the 15 th hole but two ending birdies propelled him to the joint leading position.
Five players were one stroke behind at joint fourth including 20-year-old Danthai Boonma. The one-time Asian Tour winner, in his first tournament in a month after picking up an injury on his right elbow from the All Thailand Golf Tour second circuit in Hua Hin, carded five birdies against a lone bogey on the fifth hole.
“I’m quite happy with my form considering from the fact that I just started practising three days ago. I hit the ball to the right positions to score birdies today,” said Danthai, winner of the World Classic Championship in Singapore last November. Also with an opening 67 were Lerpong Sithiwong, Jakraphan Premsirigorn, Danthai Boonma, Donlaphatchai Niyomchon and Sadom Kaewkanjana.
