Thailand’s Warun Ieamgaew got the tournament off to a fine start when the Asian Development Tour / All Thailand Partnership teed off today, posting a new course record on eight under par to set the pace for the first day at Red Mountain Golf Course in Phuket.

With eight birdies and an otherwise unblemished card, Warun opened his scoring with a birdie on the tenth hole and did not let up for the rest of his round.

“Today my game was going pretty well,” he said after posting his score. “No mistakes and when I did miss the green, I was able to get up and down.

“It’s my first time at Red Mountain, the course is pretty challenging. It’s a narrow layout with fast sloping greens which makes it more exciting.

“I’m really happy to have the chance to set the record for this course. I’ve been focussing on my putting and iron shots and I’m hoping to make some international events this year and improve my game,” he added.

Compatriot Pawin Ingkhapradit, another of the morning starters, also had a bogey-free round, posting five birdies in his front nine for a six under par 65 to take solo second place.

In third spot, at five under par, Chinese Taipei duo Chi Huang and Han-ting Chiu were joined by Thailand’s Waris Manthorn and Kammalas Namuangruk.

One shot further back was an all-Thailand group of Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij, Sarun Sirithon, Thanyakon Khrongpha, Witchayapat Sinsrang and last year’s winner of the event Kosuke Hamamoto.

In a share of 12th place on three under par were international players William Harrold and Joe Heraty of England, Hong Kong’s Leon D’Souza, Khalin Joshi of India, Australia’s Douglas Klein and the Thai contingent of Panuwat Bulsombath, Panuphol Pittayarat, Jaturon Duangphaichoom, Runchanapong Youprayong and Thanapisit Omsin.

The ADT All Thailand Partnership tournament, a THB3 million co-sanctioned event by the Asian Development Tour and the All Thailand Golf Tour, is one of two ADT events scheduled for May, with the THB4 million Singha Laguna Phuket Open being held at Laguna Golf Phuket from May 9-12.