International Series winners gunning for OOM titles
There is plenty at stake at this week’s US$1.5 million BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE, the final Asian Tour event of the season, with some big names in the star-studded field gunning for the coveted Asian Tour Order of Merit (OOM) crown and inaugural International Series OOM title as well as individual glory.
With a winner’s purse of US$270,000 up for grabs, the top 11 could all theoretically claim the Asian Tour OOM crown and the entire top 10 on the International Series OOM are all still in with a shout of securing the top spot and a golden ticket to play on the 14-tournament LIV Golf League next season.
The winners of the six International Series events on this season’s schedule are all in action in Indonesia and took part in a photo shoot on Thursday evening.
Scott Vincent, fourth on the Asian Tour Merit list, first on the International Series ranking and the International Series England winner said: “Of course, victory at the BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE would be a perfect way to round off a great season on the Asian Tour. There will be a lot of competition this week, and it is shaping up to be a great season-finale.”
Sihwan Kim. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Sihwan Kim is top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit but is one behind Zimbabwean Vincent in the International Series rankings. The American, winner of the International Series Thailand, the first event of the season, added: “The win in Thailand was my first professional win so it it was a huge deal for me. Winning any OOM is big and it means you played well for pretty much the whole season.”
Jazz Janewattananond, winner in Morocco last month, knows all about victory in Jakarta having won here in 2019. He looked back on his recent win and said: “To wait that long to win my first International Series title in Morocco, I’m proud of myself and what I’ve accomplished.”
Speaking about the International Series, he added: “It has been great for every Asian Tour player. It’s a big opportunity and it’s a pathway to something bigger.”
Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong, who is currently ranked third in the International Series OOM, picked up his second win of the year when he claimed the International Series Singapore title in August, while Korean Taehoon OK secured an emotional victory on home soil in Jeju Island and showed some fine form in a T5 finish in Morocco last month.
American Andy Ogletree cruised to a first ever professional win at the International Series Egypt in Cairo last time out.
This week’s event is also part of the International Series.
South African Mathiam Keyser birdied two out of his last five holes this morning to take the first-round lead on seven under in the BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE at Royale Jakarta Golf Club.
Yesterday’s opening round in the Asian Tour’s season-ending event was brought to a pre-mature conclusion due to lightning meaning half the field were unable to complete their rounds and teed off at 6.15am local time today to finish.
Keyser carded a seven-under-par 65, with seven birdies, in the US$1.5 million tournament which is also part of the International Series.
Indian Anirban Lahiri, who won here in 2014, also completed his first round today playing his last eight holes in two under, to finish in a tie for second with a 66, along with Thailand’s Sarit Suwannarut, who also came in with the same score this morning.
Neil Shietekat. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Thailand’s Kosuke Hamamoto and Neil Schietekat from South Africa returned 66s yesterday while India’s Veer Ahlawat is in outright sixth after a 67.
Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Sihwan Kim from the Unites States shot a 73 and has work to do to make the cut and repel his closest challengers, which includes Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana (68), his countryman Phachara Khongwatmai and Chinese-Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang (69s) and Korean Bio Kim, Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond and Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent, (71s).
Round two got underway at 8.05 am.
Thailand’s Kosuke Hamamoto and Neil Schietekat from South Africa both shot sizzling six-under-par 66s to take the clubhouse lead on the opening day of the BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE today, which was cut short because of lightning.
Hamamoto playing well off the back of a second-placed finish in Bangladesh last Sunday toured the layout at Royale Jakarta Golf Club bogey free, with four birdies on the front and two on the back, while Schietekat, battling to keep his Tour card, carded seven birdies and one dropped shot.
India’s Veer Ahlawat returned a 67 while Korea’s Bongsub Kim, Pawin Ingkhaprait from Thailand, Canadian Richard T. Lee and Filipino Miguel Tabuena all came in with 68s.
Half the field were unable to complete their rounds as play was stopped for the day at 4.45pm local time.
Neil Schietekat. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Hamamoto lost by one shot to compatriot Danthai Boonma last week but rather than being disappointed about not being able to win his first Asian Tour event he has taken the positives from the experience and is philosophical about it.
He said: “I was okay about not winning last week, I have changed my mentality, golf is not everything in my life. Finishing second doesn’t define who I am. I am having the time of my life and living the dream.”
The rising star, whose father is Japanese and mother Thai, has made multiple changes to his game and mindset which has led to some fine form.
“Lately I have been working with a new coach, Kris Assawapimonporn, who also teaches Atthaya Thitikul, I have a new caddie and a new set of irons, and I have changed my mentality, so it’s been a lot of things and it seems to be working. I will just keep on focusing what I need to do.”
His new caddie is non-other than ‘Camp’, formerly Jazz Janewattananond’s bagman, who was on the bag when Jazz won here in 2019.
Hamamoto also revealed that only a few months ago life was proving difficult.
He said: “During the summer I had a really tough time, I think I have come out of it more mature. I just had stuff going on outside the course that effected my mentality, and I wasn’t having fun on the course. I didn’t feel like playing golf.”
Schietekat is 72nd on the Asian Tour Order of Merit and needs a good result this week to finish in the top-60 and retain his playing privileges.
“It’s been a disappointing year,” said the 38 year old from Johannesburg.
“I came out here having got my card, at the 2020 Q School, and wanted to do much better. I am getting used to Asia, which I love, but I need a good week to keep my card. It is what it is, I got off to a good start.
“I started off well today, made a lot of putts. I had 27 putts and missed two greens. Struggling with the driver a little bit, I think I cracked my favourite driver in Morocco, and when I was getting a fitting in Egypt the week after, they said the face is cracked. That was my baby, had it for two and a half years and I normally pride myself on my driving. So, I am fiddling with other drivers.”
Veer Ahlawat. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Bad weather first stopped play at 2.20pm and resumed at 4.15pm, for half an hour.
South African Mathiam Keyser was five under with five to play, while Indian Anirban Lahiri, who won here in 2014, was four under after 10 holes.
Play will resume at 6.15am on Friday.
A galaxy of stars are playing in this week’s BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE, three-time winner Lee Westwood, Bernd Wiesberger, who has also won here, and Graeme McDowell, and Asian greats Anirban Lahiri, Jazz Janewattananond, both past champions, and Kiradech Aphibarnrat.
But one star player stands out more than any other, and in more ways one, here at Royale Jakarta Golf Club, the “Big Easy” himself Ernie Els.
Now 53 years old and a regular on the Champions Tour he is making a popular return to the region, where he has enjoyed great success, winning three times on the Asian Tour.
“I just want to have a nice week, if things work out nicely then I will be very thrilled and if it doesn’t I just want to have a nice week and enjoy myself,” said the South African.
“I obviously want to try and play well, feel like I am swinging it good, it’s really coming out beautiful, there is a bit of doubt here and there. I am just getting my club back on plane, I was a little inside, a little deep. It feels good when I make good contact.”
He finished second here in 2013, when Wiesberger won, and despite not playing much recently he feels his game is in good shape.
Ernie Els. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Added the four-time Major winner: “I have been playing really well, I played over on the Champions Tour, I had 13 top-10s out of 20 something events. I ran close a couple of times, but I never got a win. I really am looking forward to next year, the competition is strong out there.
“I haven’t played in a month, I have just been playing a bit of social golf, in South Africa. I am trying to find something, but it’s okay, I am just enjoying myself out here, with my friend Nico [Van Rensburg] on the bag, he played in Asia for a long time.”
In Van Rensburg he could not have a better man to help guide him as he played regularly on the Asian Tour in the 1990s, winning three times, and thrilling galleries with his eye-catching big-hitting game.
“Nico is great, we have known each other since childhood, so it’s nice to have him on the bag. He’s loving it because he is seeing some of his old mates,” said Els, who mentioned Van Rensburg works on his charitable projects, and “raises a hell of a lot of money and does a hell of a good job.”
Els’ last big win on a main Tour came at the 2013 BMW International Open in Europe, while his two wins on the Champions Tour came in 2020, but don’t be surprised if the big man with deft touch adds some more silverware to his bulging trophy cabinet this week, in what is the season-ending event on the Asian Tour and last of the year’s seven International Series contests.
The final event of the season on the Asian Tour means the most important winner of the year is decided, the Order of Merit champion, and along with it those all-important calculations and permutations that help contribute to its thrilling conclusion.
And at this week’s BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE, here at Royale Jakarta Golf Club, the race is as intense as ever and wide open.
American Sihwan Kim, helped by two victories this year, leads the Merit list with a lucrative haul of US$615,208.33 but there are 10 players behind him in hot pursuit who have a chance of toppling him, thanks to this week’s lucrative purse of US$1.5 million which will see the winner earn US$270,000, and the runner-up US$165,000.
Only the top four can be crowned champion without winning this week’s event – which is also the final International Series tournament of the season.
Second-placed Bio Kim from Korea has won US$595,109.49 meaning he is just US$20,098.84 behind and could overtake the man at the top if he finishes solo 14th, as long as Sihwan Kim makes less than US$1,576.16. Bio Kim is the only player that controls his own destiny this week, if he wins Sihwan Kim cannot catch him even with an outright second result.
Bio Kim. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong is in third with US$506,390.20 and US$108,818.13 off top spot and would need at least a tied second placed performance with only two other players to put him at US$617,890.20 for the win, as long as Sihwan Kim makes less than US$2,681.87.
Fourth placed Scott Vincent from Zimbabwe is currently fourth on US$493,125, US$122,083.33 back, and needs at least a tied second finish with only one other player to reach US$622,875, with him hoping Sihwan Kim make less than US$7,666.67, which is lower than solo 46th position.
Players number five to 12, with the exception of Korean star Joohyung Kim – in eighth place and the reigning Merit list champion – who is not playing, all have a mathematical chance to win but they will all have to win the event and have help from the other contenders.
The scenarios for them are:
Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana, fifth on the OOM, with US$444,759.22, US$170,449.11 behind, needs a win and Sihwan Kim to finish worse than solo second.
Australian Travis Smyth, sixth on the OOM, with US$435,365.28 (US$179,843.05 behind) needs a win and Sihwan Kim to finish worse than solo third.
Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai, seventh on the OOM, with US$418,272.64 (US$196,935.69 behind) needs a win and Sihwan Kim to finish worse than solo fourth.
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond, ninth on the OOM, with US$393,203.70 (US$222,004.63 behind) needs a win and Sihwan Kim to finish worse than solo sixth.
Korean Taehoon OK, 10th on the OOM with US$380,935.17 (US$234,273 behind) needs a win and Sihwan Kim to finish worse than solo eighth.
Scott Vincent. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Chinese-Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang, 11th on the OOM with US$376,291 (US$238,917.02 behind) needs a win and Sihwan Kim to finish worse than solo ninth.
Canadian Richard T. Lee, 12th on the OOM with US$363,881.40 (US$251,326.93 behind) needs a win and Sihwan Kim to finish worse than solo 17th.
It promises to be a gripping finish to the year, with the added excitement of players competing for the International Series Order of Merit which will earn that winner a golden ticket onto next year’s 14-event LIV Golf League.
England’s Lee Westwood has achieved many things in his illustrious career but this week at the BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE he will attempt to add on one more mighty feat, and that’s to win a tournament for a fourth time.
The former world number one and winner of 44 titles on planet golf starts in the event on Thursday here at Royale Jakarta Golf Club – where he won in 2011, 2012 and 2015.
The US$1.5 million event, Indonesia’s most lucrative sporting competition, is the final tournament of the season on the Asian Tour, part of the International Series and will decide who wins the Asian Tour Order of Merit and International Series ranking.
Westwood – three times Europe’s number one golfer – is not eligible to win either of those but that will no doubt not stop him from going all out for the victory.
“It’s great to back, obviously COVID meant we could not get out here. This place has very special memories for me, I have been here three times, and won three times. It is very nice to be back, and I am looking forward to it,” said the 49 year old, who has won three other events thrice: the Nedbank Golf Challenge, the Nordea Masters and the Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters.
“The golf course obviously suits me very well and I have always enjoyed coming to Asia where I have enjoyed so much success. I haven’t played a lot recently it’s been pretty cold back in England so not much chance to play. I played yesterday, today and tomorrow so I will be ready for Thursday.”
Lee Westwood has played in the Indonesian Masters three times and won three times. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Westwood has a close affinity to Asia having triumphed on nine occasions on the Asian Tour, with his most recent coming in this week’s event back in 2015.
The tournament, which is celebrating the 10th time it has been staged, will also see his son Samuel make his debut as a professional.
Said Westwood: “He started playing the game very late. He only took up the game seriously at age 16 and he is 21 now. I don’t really have any expectations for him this week. I just want him to enjoy himself. I expect him to be nervous and feel uncomfortable, but we all feel that way when you tee it up for the first time and once that has passed I expect him to start enjoying himself, start hitting some good shots and build on that. But I have no expectations as far as scores are concerned.”
Westwood’s triumvirate of victories have all come at the expense of Thai opponents: in 2011 he beat Thongchai Jaidee by three shots, in 2012 he triumphed by two from Thaworn Wiratchant and in 2015 he defeated Chapchai Nirat in a sudden-death play-off.
So don’t be surprised if he gets that personal best fourth win ahead of a player from The Kingdom.
Danthai fired a closing three-under-par 68 at Kurmitola Golf Club, in Dhaka, for a four-round aggregate of 13-under-par 271 and a one-shot victory over Hamamoto, who carded a 70.
Rattanon Wannasrichan made it a one, two, three finish for Thailand after returning a 67 to finish three behind the champion.
Bangladesh’s golfing idol Siddikur Rahman, despite being roared on by strong local support, closed with a 70 to finish in a group of four players tied for fourth, six back from top spot.
Danthai started the day one behind playing partner Hamamoto but a brilliant front nine of three under, which included birdies on seven, eight and nine saw him make the turn one ahead.
It was a lead he did not relinquish, with both players coming home in even par, and allowed him to add the National Open of Bangladesh to The World Classic Championship he claimed at Laguna National in Singapore in 2015.
Danthai Boonma. Picture by Paul Lakatos/ Asian Tour.
“I’m so excited about my second win on the Asian Tour,” said Danthai, who dined out with Hamamoto for much of the week.
“Yeah, nothing to say but I can’t believe it, because it’s been tough in the past two years, I didn’t really play very good you know. I mean, I struggled with my mind and my short game, so I tried to figure out about those things. And yeah, I can’t believe it about this week.”
He won the Boonchu Ruangkit Championship on the Asian Development Tour in 2016 before the drought set in.
He added: “I started very good, on my second hole I got a birdie. Then the third hole is a bit tough because it’s a long par four and a little bit narrow, but I could make a par on that hole. After that I had a three putt on number six the par three. Then I just tried to keep my momentum, and keep my mind clear of everything, and just keep my plan and just do what I want to do.
“Yeah, actually Danthai and I ate dinner together every day, we’re close friends and we practice together. It was a bit tight you know, I tried to keep fighting and just keep focus, just relax and focus.”
Kosuke Hamamoto. Picture by Paul Lakatos/ Asian Tour.
Hamamoto, the SEA Games gold medal individual winner in 2017, was in pursuit of his first victory on the Asian Tour and despite finishing second he was more than happy with his performance.
“It was a very fun round today,” said the Thai golfer, whose father is Japanese and mother Thai.
“I definitely felt the nerves out there, but I am very happy with how my game is trending. I just need to stay patient and do the same thing and I think my time is coming soon. I am really proud of how I handled myself.”
There was no hiding the disappointment of Rahman’s fans; the country’s star golfer was bidding to win the tournament for the first time since it joined the Asian Tour in 2015.
“My hitting was totally off, so I’m not happy with my hitting,” said the two-time Asian Tour winner, who won this event in 2010 when it was part of the Professional Golf Tour of India.
“But I made a few up and downs which was very good. But overall, I still played one under so it’s okay, but my especially my hitting was totally off today and yesterday.
“Overall, it was okay, the course condition was really awesome. Normally we are not used to playing the course in this condition. So overall it was a wonderful week for me.”
Siddikur Rahman. Picture by Paul Lakatos/ Asian Tour.
Thailand’s 15-year-old amateur ace Ratchanon Chantanuwant, aka “TK”, made a sensational start by touring the front nine in four under with four birdies in the first five holes, but the wheels came off on the back nine with a double bogey on 10 and a triple on 13 contributing to a back nine of 43. He closed with a 74 and tied for 29th, on one under.
Defending champion Sadom Kaewkanjana from Thailand signed off with a 72 to end two over in equal 42nd.
The Asian Tour heads to its season ending event next week, the US$1.5 million BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE at Royale Jakarta Golf Club, from December 1-4.
Thailand’s Kosuke Hamamoto opened up a one-shot lead over countryman Danthai Boonma after the third round of the US$400,000 Bangabandhu Cup Golf Bangladesh Open today.
Hamamoto, a star of the amateur game not so long ago seeking his first Asian Tour victory, fired a four-under-par 67 at Kurmitola Golf Club for a tournament total of 11 under, while Danthai shot a joint best of the day 65.
India’s Veer Ahlawat, in with a 68, and Bangladesh’s Jamal Hossain and Thailand’s Atiruj Winaicharoenchai both returned 69s and are tied for third, four behind the leader.
Thailand’s Itthipat Buranatanyarat, the leader after the first two days, slipped back with a 74 and is in equal sixth place along with Bangladesh number one Siddikur Rahman, who fired a 72, and Spaniard David Puig, who signed for a 69.
“I guess I’m pretty happy with how I handled myself out there,” said Hamamoto, whose father is Japanese and mother Thai.
“It’s not easy playing in the last group, I haven’t really put myself in that position often so I’m glad with how I handled myself today. I just kept my head down, stayed patient and just stuck to my game plan and some putts dropped.”
Danthai Boonma. Picture by Paul Lakatos/ Asian Tour.
He’ll be paired in the final round with Danthai, a close friend and lunch partner for the week.
He added: “Yeah, it’s good you know, me Dantai and Atiruj we’ve been having lunch together and we’ve been playing together a lot, so it’s nice that all of us are playing well. Just do my best and hopefully we both play well, it will be a fun day tomorrow for sure.”
Hamamoto claimed the SEA Games individual gold medal in 2017, and that year was also part of the first Thai team to win the prestigious Nomura Cup.
Danthai is looking to win on the Asian Tour for the first time in seven years.
“I was putting very good today, better than the first two rounds so that gave me good momentum to play,” said Danthai, who twice made three birdies on the trot.
“I have more confidence in my putting. Everything is good, just the putting is key and keeping my mind clear. Yes, been enjoying Kosuke’s company this week, we’re close friends as well. So yeah, just going to have fun and enjoy tomorrow.”
He won The World Classic Championship at Laguna National in Singapore in 2015 and since then he has finished runner up on three occasions while also claiming the Boonchu Ruangkit Championship on the Asian Development Tour in 2016.
Hossain is looking to become the first player from his country to win the Bangladesh Open since it became part of the Asian Tour in 2015.
Jamal Hossain. Picture by Paul Lakatos/ Asian Tour.
He said: “I have been playing very good on the PGTI [Professional Golf Tour of India] in the last few events, coming second a few weeks ago. And last week in a Bangladeshi local tour event I shot 25 under and won. So, this week, I think I’m playing well and I’ll be playing my own game tomorrow. I feel comfortable.
“I’ll try to just focus on my game, and I’ll be trying to do my best. I’ve played this course so many times in seven, eight and nine under, so tomorrow I’ll be trying to play to my plan, hit the fairways and greens. If I make some good putts then I can easily shoot six, seven under tomorrow.”
Thailand’s 15-year-old amateur sensation Ratchanon “TK” Chantananuwat carded his best round of the week, a 68, and is four under for the championship, while defending champion Sadom Kaewkanjana from Thailand came in with a 71 and at one over is too far back to make a successful defence.
Itthipat Buranatanyarat continued to show scant regard for the fact he has missed the cut in his last five events by carding a three-under-par 68 to take the lead after round two of the Bangabandhu Cup Golf Bangladesh Open today.
The Thai golfer, who led after day one with a 65, impressively moved to nine under for the US$400,000 Asian Tour event – which is being played at Kurmitola Golf Club, in Dhaka, the tournament’s home since its inauguration in 2009.
Much to the thrill of the local support, Bangladesh’s talismanic golfer Siddikur Rahman returned a 66 and is two back, along with Thailand’s Kosuke Hamamoto, who fired a 69.
Chang Wei-lun from Chinese-Taipei, in with 70, is a shot further behind.
Itthipat dropped a shot at the first, after a three putt, but showing new-found confidence he made birdie on the next three. He dropped shots on seven and nine, but again rebounded with a fine back nine with gains on 12, 13 and 18.
A professional since 2014 and a three-time winner on the Asian Development Tour (ADT), Itthipat is bidding to win his first Asian Tour title.
Earlier this year he tied for third in the International Series Thailand, for his best finish on the Asian Tour.
Siddikur Rahman. Picture by Paul Lakatos/ Asian Tour.
He said: “When I missed those cuts, I just practiced more and more with my caddy Jee. We just never, never stand still, just keep going. When I practiced more, I saw what was missing. When I have been trying to hit a fade, the ball has been going straight, so this week I have just been aiming at the pin to make the ball go straight. No need to shape the ball.”
Rahman learned to play the game at Kurmitola, where he has enjoyed phenomenal success, and won his National Open here in 2010 although at that point in time it was part of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI).
Since the event joined the Asian Tour in 2015 his best finish was runner-up in 2017 to Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond – so victory this week is at the top of his list of priorities.
“Well, it was a wonderful day honestly,” said the Bangladesh star, who remarkably has won two ADT titles at Kurmitola, over 30 local professional events, and five amateur tournaments.
“I made a few really great up and downs so it was not easy. But I’m happy that I got a few birdies and only one bogey today, so it was a wonderful day.
“Of course, there is a little bit of pressure, but you know I’m always happy to play this tournament. I’m just looking forward to playing my own game, that’s my goal the next two days. The rest I don’t need to know.”
He finished equal third in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters in September for his best performance on the Asian Tour for some time, so he has been coming into form at just the right time.
Kosuke Hamamoto. Picture by Paul Lakatos/ Asian Tour.
Hamamoto, winner of the individual gold medal at the 2017 SEA Games, and Chang, who has won before on the ADT, are two other players looking for breakthrough wins on the main Tour.
Said Hamamoto: “It was a very solid round in my opinion. A lot of good shots but also had a lot of good saves. Feeling very, very good about my game. I think what me and my coach have been working on is coming in the right direction. At the weekend, I will just go out and have fun. I mean, I’ve already kept my card and that was a big concern of mine a couple of months ago. But now that I have that secured, I just want to go and have fun tomorrow.”
“I drove the ball well today, only missed one fairway,” said Chang.
“But my iron-play and putting weren’t as good as yesterday. I made a few three putts on my front nine today, which is the back nine of the course. But glad to find some momentum coming back with three birdies in a row from the fifth. I didn’t think too much on the back nine. I told myself to just play. Almost made a hole-in-one on the sixth, had about two-feet for birdie there. Still in a good position for tomorrow. I’m sticking to the same game plan for the next two days, just need to pay attention to the details out there.”
Thailand’s young amateur star Ratchanon “TK” Chantananuwat shot a 70 and is one under for the tournament, which is the penultimate event of the season.
Sadom Kaewkanjana from Thailand, the defending champion, returned a 71 and is one over.
Chang Wei-lun. Picture by Paul Lakatos/ Asian Tour.
Thailand’s Itthipat Buranatanyarat fired a six-under-par 65 to take the lead on the opening day of the Bangabandhu Cup Golf Bangladesh Open today at Kurmitola Golf Club, in Dhaka.
His compatriot Kosuke Hamamoto and Chinese-Taipei’s Chang Wei-lun shot 66s to lie in second place while Korean Seung Park carded a 67.
Bangladesh’s Jamal Hossain and Badal Hossain gave local fans plenty to cheer about after carding 68s, along with Chan Shih-chang from Chinese-Taipei, England’s Ben Jones, and Thailand’s Pawin Ingkhapradit, Danthai Boonma and Pavit Tangkamolprasert.
“Looks like my game is back!” said Itthipat, who after starting on 10 went on a birdie blitz with gains on 11, 14, 15, 17 and 18 to make the turn in five under.
“Before I missed the cut at five events in a row. I am always confident with myself but today I played well because I hit a lot of fairways, and my approach shots were very good, that’s why I can make birdies.
“I am still trying to find a way to win on the Asian Tour, so hopefully this will be the week.”
Chang hit to shot of the day to move in contention, holing his second shot from 75 yards for eagle on the par-four 18th.
Chang Wei-lun. Picture by Paul Lakatos/ Asian Tour.
Like Itthipat, he has been struggling with his game lately.
He said: “I have been missing cuts the last few months, so it was nice to get off to a good start this week. We had a local event on my home course in Taiwan last week. I went straight there after returning from Egypt, didn’t get much rest. Came in second which gave me some confidence as well coming to this week.”
Hamamoto, winner of the SEA Games individual gold medal in 2017, was bogey free with two birdies on the front and three on the inward half for a much better experience compared with when he played here last time and missed the cut.
“When I played here in 2019 it was my first Asian Tour event, so I was very nervous,” said Hamamoto, whose father is Japanese and mother Thai.
“I didn’t know how to handle things but now I guess I know more and have experience and know how to manage mistakes.”
He is also benefitting from trying to enjoy himself on the course.
“It was a good day out there, everything felt very nice,” said the Thai, whose caddie this week is ‘Camp’, formerly Thailand Jazz Janewattananond’s bagman.
“To be honest my attitude was great, I am more happy on the course. I am not focusing on anything, just trying to be happy. Whatever happens, happens.
“In the middle of the season I was struggling but I changed coach, I changed caddie and changed clubs and it seems to be working.”
Park was also bogey free and chipped in twice to save pars on holes six and eight, from six and 20 feet respectively.
Kosuke Hamamoto. Picture by Paul Lakatos/ Asian Tour.
He said: “Kept the ball in play today, hit my driver well and, found most of the fairways, which helped my score. Good start for my first time in Bangladesh.”
Bangladesh number one Siddikur Rahman came in with a 69, Thailand’s amateur star Ratchanon “TK” Chantananuwat carded a 71 and his countryman and defending champion Sadom Kaewkanjana fired a 72.
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