SCROLL DOWN TO READ BARRY HUME'S DIARY

YATES (72), HUME (74) IN ASIA
VOLVO MASTERS' ROUND ONE

Scots Simon Yates and Barry Hume (pictured right) had scores of level par 72 and 74 respectively in the first round of the Volvo Masters of Asia at Thai Country Club, Bangkok today.
Prayad Marksaeng powered into lead with a sizzling five-under-par 67 as the Thai contingent dominated the Asian Tour's grand finale.
The smooth-swinger put aside his disappointment of missing his US PGA Tour card at qualifying school earlier this month with a stylish display, collecting six birdies against a lone bogey.
He leads the US$650,000 event by one stroke from compatriot and former champion Thongchai Jaidee and Prom Meesawat.
India's Jeev Milkha Singh, seeking a third straight tournament victory, and his countryman Shiv Kapur, the title holder, fired 72s after overcoming sluggish starts.
"I did not drive the ball well but my short game saved me today," said Prayad, who needed only 24 putts. "I hope I can drive the ball better tomorrow. If I can do that and keep my short game sharp I think I can win this week."
LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 72
(Players from Thailand unless stated).
67 Prayad Marksaeng.
68 Lin Keng-chi (Tpe), Terry Pilkadaris (Aus), Thongchai Jaidee, Prom Meesawat.
69 Adam Groom (Aus), Lu Wei-chih (Tpe), Iain Steel (Mas), Chawalit Plaphol, Chris Rodgers (Eng), Chapchai Nirat, Lee Sung (Kor), Wang Ter-chang (Tpe).
70 Ted Oh (Kor), Adam Blyth (Aus), S.S.P. Chowrasia (Ind), Amandeep Johl (Ind), Suk Jong-yul (Kor), Unho Park (Aus)
71 Gary Rusnak (US), Edward Loar (US), Thammanoon Srirot, Jason Knutzon (US), Chinarat Phadungsil, Mardan Mamat (Sin), Brad Kennedy (Aus), Charlie Wi (Kor), Andrew Buckle (Aus)
72 Marcus Both (Aus), Rick Gibson (Can), Angelo Que (Phi), Lu Wen-teh (Tpe), Yasin Ali (Eng), Simon Yates (Sco), Thaworn Wiratchant, Shiv Kapur (Ind), Juvic Pagunsan (Phi), Jyoti Randhawa (Ind), Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind),
Other scores included:
74 Barry Hume (Sco).

VOLVO DIARY: HUME HAPPY TO BE IN BANGKOK

From the Asian Tour website (www.asiantour.com)

Bangkok, December 14: Barry Hume from Glasgow was the last player to qualify for the Volvo Masters of Asia, thanks to South African Anton Haig.
Haig declined to play in the US$650,000 season-ending event, exclusive to Asia's top-60 players, and was removed from the UBS Order of Merit as he did not play the minimum number of events.
In a diary from Thai Country Club, Hume talks about his opening round's effort and also why he's delighted to be in Bangkok.

BARRY HUME WRITES:

I actually started quite nicely. I felt like I was hitting the ball very well and then I missed a couple of fairways. Bogeyed the tough par-3 at the sixth and then missed a couple of fairways for bogeys. I struggled for a while and whenever I missed a fairway, I would drop a shot. Driving is normally the strongest part of my game but recently it's been fairly poor. I'll need to work on it.
It's nice that there's no cut this week. I'll just try to get myself back into the tournament again tomorrow.
You always want to be at the Volvo Masters of Asia which is the No 1 goal at the start of the season. At least I'm here now. I thought I had missed my chance of finishing inside the top-60 of the UBS Order of Merit. I figured it would all hinge on one tournament, the UBS Hong Kong Open. I thought if I made the cut there, I would get into the top-60.
But I missed the cut by one shot in Hong Kong and I thought there was no way I would get into the top-60. I assumed I had to go back to qualifying school, if I decided to go back. I later found out on Sunday morning back in Scotland that Anton wasn't going to play his minimum events.
It was officially announced on Monday and it changed everything for me. From not knowing where to play or if I'll play next year, I'll have every start that I want.
I hadn't entered the (Asian Tour) Qualifying School. I wasn't thinking about entering yet as I was going to take 10 days or so to decide if I wanted to go back, if I wanted to play tournament golf again. I felt like I just had enough. I played well this year and that it could have been I wouldn't have gotten anywhere.
I would have been back to where I had 12 months ago. I was starting to wonder if I was good enough to do it or if I wanted to put myself through it all again.
I was mulling things over and then I found out I was fine. I was delighted.
This year, I've had a couple of top-10s which was fairway successful and that was why it was hard to decide if I wanted to do it again if I had missed my card. I felt like it was a decent year for me and if I was 61st, I would have been no where. To finish 60th changed everything and made me feel like I got what I felt I deserved.