2005 Malaysian Open - Round 1: Thongchai storms into three-shot lead

Defending champion Thongchai Jaidee stormed to a brilliant eight-under-par 64 to top the Carlsberg Malaysian Open leaderboard in a weather-disrupted first round today.

The Asian Tour number one produced what he termed as "perfect golf" at Saujana Golf and Country Club, shooting an eagle and six birdies to open up an early three shot lead in the US$1.21 million championship which is jointly sanctioned by the European Tour.

Australian Jarrod Moseley, Emanuele Canonica of Italy, Swede Pelle Edberg and last week's New Zealand Open champion Niclas Fasth of Sweden share second place on 67 while Prom Meesawat made it a day for the Thais with a 68. Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez, a five-time winner last year, and Irish Ryder Cup star Paul McGinley also enjoyed solid starts with four-under rounds.

Play was suspended for two hours when a lightning storm hit the vicinity at 4pm and the delay affected world number eight Padraig Harrington of Ireland, the highest ranked player in the field. He was four-under through 13 holes when play was halted and dropped three shots upon the resumption for a 71.

A total of 45 players will return tomorrow morning to finish their opening rounds but Thongchai, whom Moseley labelled as the "Mighty Thai", will have the luxury of a lie-in.

"I'm very happy," said Thongchai, who became the first Thai winner on the European Tour last season. "Everything was perfect. I hit my driver and irons well and putted nicely. I had a good feeling coming into this week."

Starting from the 10th, Thongchai got out from the blocks superbly, nailing a wedge to six inches of the flag in the first hole which marked the start of five birdies in six holes. His shot of the day came on the fourth, a 331-yard dogleg left challenge which hugs a water hazard.

Thongchai crunched a monster drive to six feet of the flag and converted the eagle putt before two putting the par five seventh for his final birdie. His 64 matched the course record held by Lee Westwood but it will not be considered official as the "preferred lie" ruling was in effect.

"The drive on four was a great shot. It was definitely my best shot so far this season. I'm feeling good and this is a very good score. I've not scored well since last year's US Tour Qualifying School, so Im pleased."

Thongchai played alongside Jimenez, ranked 14th in the world, in the last two rounds en route to his historic victory last year and had the pleasure of outscoring the Spaniard again today. Said the cigar-chomping Jimenez: "Four under for me is nice. But I played with Jaidee and I lost to him which was not nice. He played really well and deserved it."

The 20-year-old Prom, playing in his second season on the Asian Tour, made it a day for the Thais by posting four birdies on the card. He putted steadily on the slick Saujana greens and was delighted to be chasing his idol Thongchai.

"It's great to see Thongchai leading again here. Obviously he likes this golf course and he's got a lot of confidence. In a way, it's an inspiration for me and I'll try to keep up pace with him.

"This is my second year on the Asian Tour and I'm feeling more comfortable and confident with my game. I know I can play with these guys," said the 20-year-old Prom.

Former Ryder Cup player Fasth, the man in form following his win last Sunday, struggled with wayward drives but still did enough to give himself another title shot. He chipped in for eagle at his fourth hole, the 13th, before shooting four more birdies against a lone bogey.

"Coming off a really good week, it's got to be an advantage. You see the ball going in and it becomes easier to hole a shot. I played possibly the best golf that I've ever played to win last week and to win it in that fashion (shooting a final day 63 and winning in a play-off), I was very proud. But the reality awaits. It's a new week and you're a winner for a day or so," said Fasth.

Other Asian Tour stars who enjoyed good starts were Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant and Scotsman Simon Yates, who carded matching 69s. A further stroke behind were China's Liang Wen-chong and Indian star Jyoti Randhawa.

Shaifubari Muda was the best placed Malaysian with a 69 after shooting five birdies against two dropped shots. Swede Joakim Backstrom sank the first hole-in-one of the tournament, nailing a six-iron that found the bottom of the cup at the 12th hole.

February 17, 2005

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