NEW DELHI: Eight birdies in nine holes on the back nine gave Thailand’s Chinnarat Phadungsil a five-shot lead after the first round of the Avantha Masters golf yesterday.
The 24-year-old hit a blemish-free round of 11-under-par 61 in the event, co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the Asian Tour, at the Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort near the Indian capital.
Chinnarat’s compatriots Chawalit Plaphol and Chapchai Nirat were among the five who were tied for second place, five shots back on six-under 66.
After making the turn on 33, Chinnarat holed seven straight birdies before parring the 17th hole and finished his round after gaining another shot on the last.
“That’s my best-ever round,” he said later. “Today I had a lot of great putts. Back nine I hit the driver better than the front nine. But I holed my putts, that’s why I made my score.” Home favorite Abhijit Singh Chadha, who turned professional last year, was equally impressive in the morning when he overcame strong winds for a bogey-free round of 66 in the 1.8-million-pound ($2.69-million) event.
“It’s a good field and it’s the first time I’m playing in an event sanctioned with the European Tour,” the 21-year-old said. “I’ve got no experience at all.
“I’ve played a couple of events on the Asian Tour, and playing with the big boys really gives you lots of confidence and it’s a really good feeling for me.” Eight players, including Finns Joonas Granberg and Jaakko Maekitalo and the Australian duo of Scott Hend and Scott Barr, were six shots off the pace at five-under 67.
Oda on top
In Bangkok, Koumei Oda of Japan defied the tropical heat yesterday to shoot an 8-under 64 and lead by one stroke after the opening round of the Thailand Open.
Oda made 11 birdies offset by a bogey and double bogey at Thana City Golf & Sports Club to lead a chasing pack of six players at 7 under in the OneAsia season-opening event.
They are South Korean pair Hwang Jung-gon and Cho Min-gyu, Brazil’s Lucas Lee, John Kim of the United States and Australian duo David McKenzie and Matthew Griffin.
“I have had 10 birdies before, but not 11. The secret is I putted very well — just 26 putts for the round,” said Oda, a five-time winner on the Japan Tour. “It was very hot out there, so I knew I had to drink a lot of water. This is my first round in a competition this year. It’s quite a short course, but you still have to keep your ball in play. You need to be accurate.” Former OneAsia money leader Scott Strange of Australia, local favorite Wisut Artjanawat and Simon Yates of Scotland are at 6 under.
Three-time major champion Padraig Harrington had a share of 11th place with defending champion Chris Wood of England after both shot 67s.
Chinnarat leads in Delhi after birdie blitz
