Sadom Kaewkanjana shot the only bogey-free round among the morning wave of players in a five-under-par 65 to open a one-shot lead at the halfway stage on day one of the US$500,000 Smart Infinity Philippines Open, the season-opening event of the 2025 Asian Tour schedule.

At the Masters course of Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club, the 26-year-old Thai star made five birdies to finish one ahead of compatriot and birthday boy Danthai Boonma (66), who made four successive birdies around the turn from the eighth hole in his round of 66. Danthai turned 29 on Thursday.

Indian Ajeetesh Sandhu, Yosuke Asaji from Japan, Swede Bjorn Hellgren and Thailand’s Settee Prakongvech were tied third in the clubhouse at 67.

Danthai played alongside leading Filipina amateur star Rianne Malixi, the reigning US Girls and US Women’s Amateur Champion. The 17-year-old, playing on a special invitation, started with a 75.

Danthai Boonma. Picture by Jason Butler/Asian Tour.

Sadom, who is looking for his first win in almost three years after his 2022 SMBC Singapore Open triumph, put on a ball-striking masterclass as the wind picked up and made it difficult for the players to stop their balls on the firm greens.

Starting from the 10th hole, Sadom felt it was his second shot to the par-four 11th green that set up a short birdie putt, which told him it could be his day. He then picked up shots on the 14th, 17th, first and seventh holes.

“It was a solid day,” said the two-time champion on the Asian Tour. “I hit the ball really good and missed only one fairway and one green. It always feels great to start the season with a bogey-free round

“It was a very short off-season for us. I went to Korea for a holiday with my family and my girlfriend. Did not play much golf. So, I was not feeling very confident this week, but it all worked out well.”

Like Sadom, Danthai is also a two-time champion on the Asian Tour, and is looking for his first win since the 2022 Bangabandhu Cup Golf Bangladesh Open.

A consistent performer, he has focused on getting physically stronger during the off-season, and the move paid dividends.

“The wind picked up on our back nine and the conditions became difficult. I played well and everything was very solid today. I think all parts of my game were working well. It felt good to make the four successive birdies,” said Danthai.

Ajeetesh Sandhu. Picture by Jason Butler/Asian Tour.

On playing with Malixi, Danthai said: “She is an incredible player. I mean, the golf course is very long for a girl her age, but she hit some great shots.”

Sandhu carried on his form from the end of last season, when he won a tournament on the domestic PGTI Tour and then secured his playing rights on the Asian Tour through the final stage of the Qualifying School. His 67 included an eagle two on the par-four ninth hole, where he holed out his nine-iron second shot from 135 yards.