Choi and Thongchai off to steady start at WGC

Korea's Choi Kyung-ju and Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand enjoyed solid starts in the WGC-CA Championship on Thursday, shooting rounds of one-under-par 71 and 72 respectively in the star-studded event.

Choi, a four-time winner on the US PGA Tour, fired four birdies against three dropped shots at the Blue Monster course at Doral to lie in 10th place, four shots behind early pacesetters Henrik Stenson of Sweden and Australian Robert Allenby.

Thongchai, a two-time Asian Tour number one, exchanged two birdies against as many bogeys to lie in joint in 16th place in the US$8 million event. Thongchai, ranked 75th in the world, will need a strong finish this week to have a chance to qualify for the Masters in two weeks time.

Compatriot Prom Meesawat, playing in his maiden WGC event, carded a 74 for a share of 38th place in the 73-man field. The burly Thai fired two birdies over the challenging Blue Monster course but dropped four shots along the way.

Last season's UBS Order of Merit winner Jeev Milkha Singh of India endured a mixed bag, shooting five birdies, five bogeys and one double bogey as he also settled for a 74 in the first round.

South Africa's Anton Haig, winner of the Johnnie Walker Classic in Phuket recently, and Korea's Yang Yong-eun carded rounds of 75 and 76 respectively to lie further down the elite field in 55th and 59th place respectively.

March 23, 2007

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