Singh and Brown share

lead in Thailand Open

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY ASIAN TOUR

India’s Digvijay Singh and Australian Mitchell Brown fired seven-under-par 63s to share the first-round lead in the US$500,000 Singha Thailand Open today as golden oldie Boonchu Ruangkit stole the show.
The leading duo, who are searching for their maiden Asian Tour victory, lead by one stroke from Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat, Gaganjeet Bhullar of India and Australia’s Unho Park at the par-70 Laguna Phuket Golf Club.
Thailand’s 52-year-old Boonchu, a two-time winner of his home Open, rolled back the years to card a 65 and lie two back alongside compatriot Kwanchai Tannin, Korea’s Young Nam and Mo Joong-kyung, South African Keith Horne, Indian Himmat Rai, Australian Tim Stewart and Lu Wei-chih of Chinese Taipei.
Tournament favourite Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, winner in Indonesia last week, shot a 69 while two-time US PGA Tour winner Daniel Chopra of Sweden returned a 67.
Singh opened his round with a superb chip-in eagle and ended the day in style with another eagle. “I was lucky to start with an eagle and finish with another one,” said the 37-year-old Indian.
“I missed quite a few putts on the back nine and finally on 18, I made eagle again. I thought the flag was a bit out of reach for me but I hit a rescue club from 255 yards that landed two feet of the pin.”
Along with his brother-in-law Jyoti Randhawa, Singh has been basking in the holiday atmosphere in Phuket but hopes a relaxed approach will lead to a breakthrough on the Asian Tour.
“I’m rushing off for scuba diving again this afternoon,” said Singh, who enjoyed his best year in 2008 when he finished 30th on the Order of Merit. “Jyoti and I went to Phi Phi island on Tuesday and we’re going further out this afternoon. This is like a vacation week and I’m expecting the very least from this week. Hopefully that helps.”
Brown, 23 also chipped in for eagle on the opening 315-yard par four hole and sank eight other birdies and three bogeys. It was a welcome change in fortune for the Australian as he had missed the cut in two events and was disqualified in another in his four starts this season.
“It’s good to play well as things have not been going well for me. It’s good to get a few breaks,” said Brown, who enjoyed six top-10s last season. “It’s one of those courses where if you don’t drive it on the fairway, you’ll be looking at dropping shots but if you can get it on, you can capitalise and get a few birdies.”
The evergreen Boonchu, winner of the Thailand Open in 1992 and 2004, let the young guns know he means business with an impressive round. The Thai legend may not hit the ball as long as the majority of the 156-player field but he weaved his magic on and around the greens to stake an early claim for a third title.
“I really want to lift the King’s Trophy again,” said Boonchu, back in Asia after two seasons on the Champions Tour in the United States. “The Thailand Open means a lot to me – it is in my heart.”
The highlight of Boonchu’s round was a tremendous eagle two at the first hole (his 10th of the day). He drove more than 290 yards over trees to the front edge of the green and holed a monster 26 foot putt.
“That gave me a good feeling and got my round going,” said Boonchu, who also had birdies at the 10th, 18th, fourth and eighth. “I chipped well and putted well with all my birdie putts within three feet.”
Big-hitting Chapchai ensured a strong Thai presence on the leaderboard at the Singha Thailand Open, which is making a return after a three-year lapse. He lived up to the proverbial saying “Beware the sick golfer”, overcoming a bout of food poisoning to return a bogey free card.
“I wanted to withdraw this morning as I’ve been ill since last night. But I hung in there and managed to put together a good round. Hopefully, I will be better tomorrow,” said Chapchai, who is a two-time winner in Asia.
The talented Bhullar hit 17 fairways en route to a seven-birdie round. Rated as one of the longest hitters on Tour, the Indian did not hold back with his driver although the Laguna Phuket course demands accuracy from off the tee.
“It’s a tough course as a lot of landing areas are only like 15 to 20 yards wide. But I’m hitting my driver really well and I feel confident with it,” said the 20-year-old, who finished 65th on the Order of Merit last season to earn his full card.

LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES

63: Digvijay Singh (Ind), Mitchell Brown (Aus)
64: Unho Park (Aus), Chapchai Nirat (Tha), Gaganjeet Bhullar (Ind)
65: Boonchu Ruangkit (Tha), Rhys Davies (Wal), Kwanchai Tannin (Tha), Lu Wei-chih (Tpe), Mo Joong-kyung (Kor), Tim Stewart (Aus), Keith Horne (Rsa), Young Nam (Kor), Himmat Rai (Ind)
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