FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Veerman bullies Bangkok course 

Veerman bullies Bangkok course 

AMERICAN SHOOTS 8-UNDER TO LEAD DEFENDING CHAMP JAZZ BY THREE

JOHANNES Veerman of the US fired a spectacular 8-under 62 to take a three-shot lead over the four players in the opening round of the US$500,000 Queen’s Cup presented by the Thongchai Jaidee Foundation on Thursday.

Propelled by seven birdies, five of them successive, plus an eagle on the sixth to recover from a bogey on five, the 26-year-old former Asian Development Tour No 1 stole the limelight from locals stars at the 6,939-yard par-70 Bangkok course.

“There wasn’t a whole lot of wind when I started this morning. I made some birdies and got some momentum. It just kept rolling,” said the American, who made amends after last week in Hong Kong where he missed the cut.

“This is just one of those rounds that came out of nowhere. I hit a low last week as well but it just didn’t come together,” added Veerman, who won an ADT title in Taiwan in 2016 to end the year as tour No 1.

Veerman bullies Bangkok course 

Jazz Janewattananond 

A quartet of defending champion Jazz Janewattananond, three-time Asian Tour No 1 Thaworn Wiratchant, Filipino Miguel Tabuena and Thai-Japanese Kosuke Hamamoto are three shots back on 65.

“I didn’t play well last week in Hong Kong so I’m pretty content with how I started this week. I’m still adjusting my swing,” said Jazz.

Kosuke dazzled in his maiden Asian Tour event as a pro, producing seven birdies to recover from a double-bogey.

“I was playing so well in the first 10 holes and created a lot of opportunities. But I lost my concentration a bit on the 11th hole where I ended up with a double-bogey. But I recovered fast to shoot a birdie from the bunker on the 12th and got my momentum back,” said the 19-year-old from Chiang Mai, who turned professional in September.

Veerman bullies Bangkok course 

Kosuke Hamamoto 

The Thai-Japanese is playing his sixth event as a pro after securing three top-10 finishes on the Thai PGA Tour, with a best of third in the SAT Chanthaburi Championship in October.

“To be honest I feel less pressure as a pro. There is so much tension when you compete with the national flag on your shirt,” added the 2017 SEA Games gold medallist, who’s hoping to make his second cut on the Asian Tour after the Diamond Cup in Japan this year.

Veerman bullies Bangkok course 

Vanchai Luangnitikul 

Schoolboy Vanchai Luangnitikul shot a 68, matched by young gun Suradit Yongcharoenchai, Phachara Kongwatmai and Amardip Malik of India.

“I didn't have much expectation coming to this tournament,” said the 12th grader at the British International School Phuket, who won the Youth Olympic mixed team gold medal with Atthaya Thitikul last month. “I just want to see how the pros play and try to learn from them. But I feel good to have had a decent round today and I’m looking forward to playing better tomorrow.” 

 

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