Prayad makes his presence known with a superb 61
Veteran Prayad Marksaeng showed no signs of fatigue, flying around Asia, switching from senior to Thai tour, as he fired a superb 61 to build a four-stroke lead in the Bt2 million Singha Chiang Mai Open at the Mae Jo Golf Resort and Spa yesterday.
Fresh from winning the Senior Japan Tour title in Hyogo on Sunday, Prayad Marksaeng had no problem competing against younger opponents as he sank 11 birdies against a lone birdie in his title defence at the par71, 6,561yard landscape.
“The course here sets up pretty easy and the flag positions are not that tough. I won last year so I know how to play here,” added the 50-year-old.
“I am confident coming from a win in Japan. If I can hit like this on Friday, I think I can defend my title,” added Prayad, who had Kousuke Hamamoto in the chasing pack. The Thai Japanese amateur carded seven birdies against one bogey for a 65.
The 17-year-old, 12th grade student of Nakhornpayap International School said playing in his hometown gave him confidence to put a good score against a stellar field.
“I was a bit excited as I was playing alongside big names such as Thaworn Wiratchant and Phachara Kongwatmai. But I wanted to play well at home and I made some good putts on the back nine,” said the national player, who represented Thailand in the Nomura Cup.
Also in joint second place were Danthai Boonma, who came joint third in the King’s Cup on Sunday, Sattaya Supupramai, Hong KongThai Jakraphan Premsirigorn and Briton Steve Lewton with identical 65s.
