Thailand’s Amarin Kraivixien showed his pre-season preparation was paying off in the first round of the PKNS Selangor Masters at Seri Selangor Golf Club today, shooting a four-under-par 67 to take the early clubhouse lead.

With play suspended due to darkness in the US$200,000 Asian Development Tour event, the opening match of the 2025 season, the Thai player shares the lead with Malaysia’s Zia Izzuddeen and Japanese amateur Daichi Hayashi.

“It was very smooth for the most part,” said Amarin after his round, “as I made a pretty good start in my opinion for holes one to four.

“My plan was that if I could par out for those four holes then with par fives coming up on the fifth and sixth, if I can do anything with it then I feel I can start my round,” he added.

With a three birdie finish to cement his lead, Amarin was quick to credit his off-season work with helping him to make a good start to the year.

“I would say I’m more pleased with the progress I made during the off season and that I can see the improvement on the course today,” he said.

“I worked really hard on my iron shots and it paid off very well.”

Zia, who finished well after posting three bogeys in his first nine, will look to capitalise on his strong finish alongside Daichi, who was cruising along with only pars and birdies until an unfortunate double on hole three, his 15th of the day.

England’s Matt Killen (68) leads a group in fourth spot on three-under-par after his round was disrupted by back to back bogeys on holes seven and eight.

Malaysia’s Leunkwang Kim who scored a hole in one at the PKNS Selangor Masters at Seri Selangor Golf Club. Picture provided by PKNS Selangor Masters.

He shares the position with Thailand’s Jakraphan Premsirigorn who made it through the first round with three birdies and no dropped shots.

They share fourth place with Yanhan Zhou of China, Thailand’s Runchanapong Youprayong and Natipong Srithong, and the American duo of Flint Bekkers and Shotaro Ban.

In 11th place, on 69, are two Malaysian amateurs, Aiden Kai and Hariz Hezri, alongside compatriots Amir Nazrin and 2022 winner Shahriffuddin Ariffin.

They share the spot with Australia’s Kade Webber, Korea’s Minhyeok Yang and Minwook Gwon, Singapore’s Gregory Foo, Naraajie Ramadhanputra of Indonesia and Malaysia’s Leunkwang Kim.

Kim, who started on the back nine, had an eventful start to his round. Opening with a bogey on 10, he recovered with a birdie on 11 and then pulled out his eight iron to ace the 158 meter hole 12.

Two players are still out on the course to complete Round One after poor light stopped play, the tournament will resume for Round Two at 7.45am local time from two tees.