Hard-driving Chanikan steers one shot ahead

The Phitsanulok-based swapped four birdies with four bogeys in the girls’ class A event to build a one-shot advantage over Hiraki Arina of Japan who opened with a 73.
“My drivers worked pretty well today. I hit all the fairways and created several opportunities. Unfortunately, my irons let me down. I had to make some good putts to get out of trouble several times,” said Chanikarn.
She is hoping to win for the first time here in her third attempt, which will also be her last, as she is heading to the University of Southern Utah on a scholarship next year.
“My plan is to hit the fairways and finish even par every day. This course is quite tough and it is quite windy. I also have to improve my irons in the next three days,” she said.
In class B, World Stars of Junior Golf champion in Las Vegas, Pimkwan Chookaew, carded a 70 for a three-stroke lead over |compatriot Natthakritta Wongtaveelap. The eighth-grade student of the Beaconhouse Yamsaard School highlighted her round with two birdies, an eagle on the 15th hole, against two bogeys.
“I’m quite confident with my game after that win in Las Vegas. But the course here is quite narrow and the greens are tough. I have to play carefully and wait for opportunities to shoot scores,” said the-13-year-old from Pathum Thani.
In the class A boys, Luis Miguel Castro of the Philippines shot a 71 to lead local Supakit Seelanagae who started with a 73. In class B, Kasap Kasornthip stumbled to a 77 but it was still the best score in this category with Denwit David Boriboonsub, also from Thailand, following two shots behind with a 80.