Hua Hin, Thailand: Thai veteran Udorn Duangdecha rolled back the years when he fired a six-under-par 66 to lead in the first round of the ADT Thongchai Jaidee Foundation on Thursday.
The 46-year-old posted four birdies and one eagle to lead by two shots from four other players which included Pannakorn Uthaipas, who drove home with a new Mazda CX-5 when he aced the 14th hole at the award-winning Black Mountain Golf Club.
Oscar Zetterwall of Sweden, who is recovering from a back injury, was among the dominant Thai leaderboard as he carded a 68 to tie in second place alongside Peradol Panyathanasedh and Sorachut Hansapiban.
Defending champion Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand shot a 71 to lie five shots back of Udorn at the four million Baht (approximately US$115,770) Asian Development Tour (ADT) event.
Udorn, who has won once on the Asian Tour in 2010, bogeyed the second hole but recovered nicely as he took his place atop the leaderboard and give himself a fighting chance of ending his title drought.
The story of the day belonged to the ever-smiling Pannakorn, who fired the hole-in-one with a six iron on the par-three 14th hole. The ace lifted his confidence as he birdied the closing two holes to trail by two shots.
“The hole-in-one gave me a bit of confidence and I returned with two birdies. I like this golf course a lot and everything here from the course to the practice facilities are good,” said Pannakorn.
The 26-year-old credits his cheerful attitude to his good run of form where he has three top-10 results in his last four tournaments.
“In the last two months, I told myself to be happy, smile, even if I hit a bad shot. My game seems to be coming back now. I’m feeling happier and more confidence so I look forward to a good week,” said Pannakorn.
First round scores:
66 - Udorn DUANGDECHA (THA)
68 - Pannakorn UTHAIPAS (THA) , Peradol PANYATHANASEDH (THA) , Oscar ZETTERWALL (SWE) , Sorachut HANSAPIBAN (THA)
69 - Tanapat PICHAIKOOLL (A) (THA)
70 - Nakul VICHITRYUTHASASTR (THA) , Pattaraphol KHANTHACHA (THA) , Lerpong SITTHIWONG (THA) , Worakit SREETA (THA) , Thanyakon KHRONGPHA (THA) , Raththee SIRITHANAKUNSAK (THA)
71 - Jaturon DUANGPHAICHOOM (THA) , Chanat SAKULPOLPHAISAN (THA) , Mathiam KEYSER (RSA) , Prin SIRISOMMAI (THA) , Jack DOHERTY (SCO) , Kasidit LEPKURTE (THA) , Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA)
72 - Christoffer BAUMANN (SWE) , Tirawat KAEWSIRIBANDIT (THA) , Poosit SUPUPRAMAI (THA) , Blake SNYDER (USA) , Settee PRAKONGVECH (THA) , Parathakorn SUYASRI (A) (THA) , Janne KASKE (FIN) , Atthaphon SRIBOONKAEW (THA) , Nirun SAE-UENG (THA) , Nattapong PUTTA (THA)
73 - Paul HARRIS (USA) , Josh SALAH (USA) , Micah Lauren SHIN (USA) , Thummanoon KOONMARK (THA) , George GANDRANATA (INA) , Donlaphatchai NIYOMCHON (THA) , John Michael O'TOOLE (USA) , Chapchai NIRAT (THA) , Johan EDFORS (SWE) , Purilarp EUAMMONGKOL (THA) , Chanachok DEJPIRATANAMONGKOL (THA) , Roberto GALLETTI (USA) , Pasavee LERTVILAI (THA)
