South Africa’s Jbe Kruger [main picture] and Gavin Green from Malaysia took a share of the clubhouse lead on the opening day of the Mercuries Taiwan Masters today, something they a very familiar with at this event.

Kruger won here two years ago while Green was victorious back in 2017, and, paired together today, they looked every bit past champions today shooting four-under-par 68s.

They are a shot ahead of Chinese-Taipei’s Shen Wei-cheng, Denzel Ieremia from New Zealand, Swede Charlie Lindh and Korean Minhyuk Song, who carded 69s.

A host of players fired 70s, including Filipino Miguel Tabuena and Ratchanon Chantananuwat, the young Thai star who turned professional last week, after the morning session.

This week’s venue, Taiwan Golf & Country Club, is the oldest golf club in the country, and its greens are in immaculate condition according to the players. However, its tight-tree lined fairways and tricky, sloping greens are once again posing a huge challenge.

“It was brutal,” said Kruger.

“It’s just a tough golf course. You have to play well. You can’t make mistakes. Every single shot you have to concentrate on because it’s just that tough.

“The greens are so fast, if you miss the fairways, you can’t stop it. So, you have to physically try and hit the fairway, and if you don’t, you’re just trying to get it on the green. So, it’s just not a normal golf course. It’s literally try and hit the fairway, then you try and hit the green because the greens are so fast, because they’re so good.”

Gavin Green.

He made an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys today.

The South African won here in 2024 for his first victory on the Asian Tour in five years after an extraordinary weekend of golf that saw three rounds played, each shotgun starts, as a result of Typhoon Krathon. Extremely poor weather meant no play was possible on Thursday and Friday.

It was his third title on the Asian Tour.

On playing with old friend Green, he said: “It definitely helps. Obviously, I’ve known him a long time. It helps play with someone you know, a familiar face, but I can’t hit it as far as him, unfortunately.”

Green, who made five birdies and dropped one shot, is playing here for the first time since his victory, the year he claimed the Asian Tour Order of Merit title.

He has been out of action for three months suffering from tennis elbow, so was more than happy with his start.

“Obviously, had not much real expectations,” he said.

“I’ve been injured for like three months now. Obviously, the place has changed a lot for me. I think I just actually played quite well and actually had the feeling of playing nice again.”

Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert was also in their group. Last week’s winner of the Yeangder TPC and the new Asian Tour Order of Merit leader returned a 71.

Pictures by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.