Australians Will Florimo and Michael Pearce’s attempts to secure playing privileges on next year’s Asian Tour started ideally today after they took the first-round lead in the Final Stage of Qualifying School.

They shot seven-under-par 64s at Lake View Resort & Golf Club in Hua Hin, Thailand, although on different layouts. The former was on the C&D layout and the latter on the A&B course.

Chinese-Taipei’s Liu Yung-hua, Korean Junhong Park plus Tomohiro Ishizaka from Japan are in a tie for third following 65s, on A&B.

Thailand’s Kosuke Hamamoto, Roberto Lebrija from Mexico and Singaporean Gregory Foo are next best placed after 66s on C&D, while American Luke Schniederjans – brother of Olle Schniederjans – Ireland’s Alex Maguire, Carlos Pigem from Spain, Malaysia’s Marcus Lim and Australian Brett Rankin returned the same score on A&B.

The top 35 will earn their Tour cards on Sunday, after the five-round school comes to an end, with the two Australian frontrunners looking to get onto the Tour for the first time.

Michael Pearce.

Florimo came mighty close to doing so this time last year in the Final Stage, when it was also played at Lake View. He finished one shot behind the player who ended 35^th, Filipino Sean Ramos.

“Redemption, yes definitely feel that way,” said the lefthander.

“And got one back on the course. It sort of gave me a bit of trouble last year.”

The 26-year-old from Brisbane has arrived here playing some of the best golf of his career, and is currently in fourth place on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit.

“It’s been a busy stretch for me. I mean, with the Aussie tour and everything like that. It’s been really good. My approach play has been really, really strong. And we found something with the putter, which has been nice.”

He lost in a play-off at the New South Wales Open last month and has enjoyed three other top three finishes.

He added: “I have been dealing with a bit of shoulder injury, my left shoulder. And I’ve actually had a bit of joint trouble through my hand. So, it’s been a bit of a whirlwind lately.”

Kosuke Hamamoto.

His fine form in Australia earned him an exemption into this week’s Final Stage, whereas Pearce came through a First Stage Qualifier, finishing 14^th in Section D earlier this month. The top 18 made it through so he is making the most of being here this week. He was bogey-free today, while Florimo dropped just one shot.

Said the Sydney-based golfer: “Very happy. Obviously, can’t win after day one, but it’s good to be at the top of the leaderboard. So pretty happy with the day.

“Nothing crazy today. I made a couple of good par saves. Sort of kept me in it. There was only one little hiccup, a three putt on five, a par five, for par. It’s sort of have a cliche, but just staying in the moment and trying my best to keep to my process. My game is trending in the right direction.”

Hamamoto is making only his second appearance at the Final Stage. He tied for 21^st in 2019 to secure his card and is here this week because of finishing 120^th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

His year was badly affected by having to miss three events in September due to an injury.

“I am very happy with that start. Wasn’t really expecting anything to be honest,” he said.

“I kind of had, like a weird accident and injured my knee during September. Just slipped. I just took a step down from aa footpath, and I slipped, and I teared my MCL, my left knee. Now it’s 100%.”

On returning to Qualifying School he added: “Definitely a new perspective, coming back slowly. I knew it’s gonna be a stressful week.

“Definitely thought I was going to be more stressful teeing off this morning, but I wasn’t too bad. Maybe just because I’m so tired. Just want to do my best on every shot, which doesn’t make me think too much.”

Two cuts will be made this week. The leading 140 players and ties after 36 holes will qualify for rounds three and four, with a further cut after 72 holes to the leading 70 players and ties, who will then play the final round.

Pictures by Jason Butler/Asian Tour.