2006 Volvo Masters of Asia

Prayad Marksaeng powered into the first round lead at the Volvo Masters of Asia with a sizzling five-under-par 67 as the Thai contingent dominated the Asian Tour's grand finale on Thursday.

The smooth-swinger put aside his disappointment of missing his US PGA Tour card at qualifying school earlier this month with a stylish display at Thai Country Club, sinking six birdies against a lone bogey.

He leads the US$650,000 event by one stroke from compatriot and former champion Thongchai Jaidee and Prom Meesawat, ranked second on the UBS Order of Merit. Former Asian number one Lin Keng-chi of Chinese Taipei and Australian Terry Pilkadaris, who got out from his sick bed to shoot five birdies, also ended the day one back of the leader after matching 68s.

Chapchai Nirat and Chawalit Plaphol, also from Thailand, were a further stroke back and were matched by Korean Lee Sung, who was born deaf, Chinese Taipei's Lu Wei-chih and Wang Ter-chang, Malaysia's Iain Steel, Australian Adam Groom and Englishman Chris Rodgers.

India's Jeev Milkha Singh, seeking a third straight tournament victory, and his countryman Shiv Kapur, the title holder, fired 72s after overcoming sluggish starts.

"I did not drive the ball well but my short game saved me today," said Prayad, who needed only 24 putts. "I hope I can drive the ball better tomorrow. If I can do that and keep my short game sharp I think I can win this week."

While disappointed with his 81st finish at the US qualifying school, Prayad, a five-time winner on the Asian Tour, said his American adventure has made him a stronger player. "The conditions were very tough. That experience helped me today as the conditions here are difficult," said Prayad, who has five top-10s on the Asian Tour and seven top-10s in Japan this year.

He was also glad that he made the trip home to Hua Hin, south of Bangkok, to pick up the sand wedge that he wielded like a magic wand to win the Crowne Plaza Open in Beijing last year. With the sun-baked greens at Thai Country Club firming up, the stocky Thai pulled off some terrific shots to surge ahead in the Volvo Masters of Asia, exclusive to Asia's top-60 players.

"I knew the greens here would be hard. I needed that wedge," said Prayad.

Thongchai is desperate to lift a second Volvo Masters of Asia title on home soil to extend his streak of having won a title in every year since 2000. "I'm very happy to see so many Thais on the leaderboard," he smiled. "I played well in the practice round and I'm very happy today. It's good to be just one behind the leader. But there is another three days to go. I've got to keep trying as it's my last tournament of the year (to keep my winning streak)," said Thongchai, the 2003 champion.

Three years after finishing second to Thongchai, Chinese Taipei's Lin is looking to improve by one rung in the Asian Tour's 27th and final tournament of a record season which has offered over US$24 million in total prize money.

He hopes that using Thai caddie Manop Santhiap, who is Chawalit's regular bagman, will steer him to victory. "I played the par three's and par five's really well. Birdied three of them each. The par three holes here are really tough, so it's a big bonus," said the veteran, nicknamed "Lin the Pin" for his accurate iron play.

"Manop asked if I needed a caddie this week, so I'm using him. He's a super caddie and he's been reading a lot of putts for me out there."

Pilkadaris is a three-time winner in Asia but he has been struggling to find his best form this season. But the saying "Beware the Sick Golfer" rang true as he courageously stayed in touch with the leader despite a bout of food poisoning.

"I was struggling towards the end. I was up at four in the morning and was not good. I didn't think I was going to play today but it worked out okay. Philippa Stewart (the Asian Tour's physiotherapist) gave me some medicine and off I went," said Pilkadaris.

The Aussie needed to lie down on the 17th tee for several minutes but proceeded to birdie his final two holes. "I was gone. I was feeling very dizzy. It wasn't good. There was no energy at all. I think I ate some dodgy food last night. Seven hours after that, I was not good. I was throwing up," he added.

Singh, who has already wrapped up the UBS Order of Merit crown after a spectacular season which saw him win four times around the world, battled back from being three over par through 13 holes for a level par finish.

"I was a little tired honestly, having taken last week off and I was a bit rusty. I am happy with my first round today because I got it back to even par. It was a bit of a roller coaster ride for me today. My focus was not there. I wasn’t that sharp that is why I made some mistakes. I am level par and have another three days left," he said.

Leading first round scores

67 - Prayad Marksaeng (THA)

68 - Lin Keng-chi (TPE), Terry Pilkadaris (AUS), Thongchai Jaidee (THA), Prom Meesawat (THA)

69 - Adam Groom (AUS), Lu Wei-chih (TPE), Iain Steel (MAS), Chawalit Plaphol (THA), Chris Rodgers (ENG), Chapchai Nirat (THA), Lee Sung (KOR), Wang Ter-chang (TPE)

70 - Ted Oh (KOR), Adam Blyth (AUS), S.S.P. Chowrasia (IND), Amandeep Johl (IND), Suk Jong-yul (KOR), Unho Park (AUS)

71 - Gary Rusnak (USA), Edward Loar (USA), Thammanoon Srirot (THA), Jason Knutzon (USA), Chinarat Phadungsil (THA), Mardan Mamat (SIN), Brad Kennedy (AUS), Charlie Wi (KOR), Andrew Buckle (AUS)

72 - Marcus Both (AUS), Rick Gibson (CAN), Angelo Que (PHI), Lu Wen-teh (TPE), Yasin Ali (ENG), Simon Yates (SCO), Thaworn Wiratchant (THA), Shiv Kapur (IND), Juvic Pagunsan (PHI), Jyoti Randhawa (IND), Jeev Milkha Singh (IND)

73 - Choo Tze-Huang [A] (SIN), Tony Carolan (AUS), Jarrod Lyle (AUS), Gaurav Ghei (IND)

December 14, 2006