2007 Brunei Open - Round 1: Lin in 5-way tie atop the leaderboard

Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-tang fired a superb six-under-par 65 for the joint first round in the Brunei Open on Thursday as he looks to atone for last year’s heartbreak.

Lin sank an eagle and seven birdies at the Empire Hotel and Country Club to join a crowded leaderboard as Australians Scott Hend and Adam Le Vesconte, Holland’s Guido Van Der Walk and Mark Brown of New Zealand produced matching rounds.

History was made at the Empire Hotel and Country Club when Pengiran Hassanal Alhaj became Brunei’s first professional golfer to compete in the US$300,000 Asian Tour event.

A scratch handicapper, the 34-year-old, a late invite, surprised organisers by announcing he was relinguishing his amateur status, saying “I hope this will inspire young kids to become professionals.” He carded a 79.

Chinese Taipei veteran Lu Wen-teh, a three-time winner in Asia, was bunched with Sweden’s Olle Nordberg, Welshman Craig Smith and Neven Basic of Australia after carding 66s while Thailand’s talented 22-year-old Panuwan Muenlek was amongst those lying a further stroke back.

China’s Liang Wen-chong, the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit leader, struggled to a 73 as the effects of a muscle twinge near his neck and shoulder hampered his first round.

Lin, the reigning Taiwan Open champion, was the halfway leader in Brunei last year where he matched the course record of 63 but he failed to finish the job. Bent on redeeming himself, Lin started his campaign on the wrong foot this morning by missing a short par putt on the 10th hole but a chip-in eagle on the 12th set him on his way.

Crisp iron play set Lin up for four more birdies on his inward nine but two bogeys cost him the outright lead. “I didn’t have the best of starts but the eagle settled me down and after that, I started rolling some good putts in,” said Lin, who took 27 putts on the greens.

“The course is in very good condition and I enjoy being out here. Last year, I was the halfway leader but I didn’t win, so hopefully, I can hold on this week. It’s so relaxing being here, the course is good, the hotel is good and I can just concentrate on my game.”

After missing the cut at the Iskandar Johor Open in Malaysia last week, Hend, ranked third on the UBS Order of Merit, shook off the dust in his game after the summer break to shoot an eagle, six birdies and two bogeys. “It’s my second tournament back, that’s the difference. I’ve played a bit more and I’m starting to get more confidence with what I’m doing. I only hit three bad shots today which was alright,” said the former US PGA Tour regular.

After turning in 32, Hend picked up steam with four birdies and an eagle on the par five 15, nailing a two iron to 15 feet. “There was nothing spectacular, I was just playing solid. I was happy to birdie the par three 14th as I was hot under the collar after dropping a bogey on the previous hole with an eight iron in hand from the fairway,” said Hend.

Compatriot Vesconte, a former Philippine Open winner, is looking to make up for last week’s disappointment where he finished 10th after being in contention. It has been a welcome return to form after he missed seven straight cuts earlier this year and Vesconte said putting his golf clubs away for five weeks during the break was the cure that he was looking for.

“I’ve got less expectations on myself and I’m more relaxed. I had to force myself to get the golf clubs out after five weeks. It was a good solid ball striking round and taking only 22 putts always helps,” he said.

Brown was red hot as he got out of the blocks in flying fashion with five straight birdies. “That was hot and then I bogeyed the easy par five!” he said. “I hit it right behind the only coconut tree on that hole. I then hit a few close and holed a few putts.

“The greens are pure. If you give yourself chances, you’re going to hole a few. I was pretty tired when I woke up this morning. I was in a bit of a daze but maybe that’s the best way to play.”

Playing in the last group of the day, Van Der Walk was delighted to finish amongst the leaders. “I am amazed at the greens. Last group out and they were pure. I’ve never seen anything like that and that helped me. I putted really good. I played good but I don’t think I played 65 good.”

After bursting onto the scene at the Pine Valley Beijing Open where he jointly held the lead into the final round, Thailand’s Panuwat believes he can emulate last week’s winner Artemio Murakami of the Philippines and secure a maiden triumph at the Brunei Open.

“I drove and putted the ball well today and all my birdies were from close range. I hit quite a few good irons close and the course was there for a good score. I’m feeling more comfortable on the Asian Tour now and Artemio’s win has shown that the new boys can achieve success as well. I feel I can also pull off a win,” he said.

Defending champion Wang Ter-chang of Chinese Taipei carded a 70 while last weeks’ Iskandar Johor Open winner Murakami carded a 69.

Leading first round scores (click here for full leaderboard):

65 - Lin Wen-tang (TPE), Scott Hend (AUS), Mark Brown (NZL), Adam Le Vesconte (AUS), Guido Van Der Valk (NLD)

66 - Olle Nordberg (SWE), Lu Wen-teh (TPE), Craig Smith (WAL), Neven Basic (AUS)

67 - Steve Parry (ENG), Chris Rodgers (ENG), Ross Bain (SCO), Panuwat Muenlek (THA), Sung Mao-chang (TPE), Gary Simpson (AUS), Gary Rusnak (USA)

68 - Cookie Lao (PHI), Wisut Artjanawat (THA), Jarrod Moseley (AUS), Adam Blyth (AUS), Taichiro Kiyota (JPN), Ilyasyak (INA), Martin Rominger (SUI), Michael Wright (AUS), Corey Harris (USA), Wittawat Sae-Ung (THA), Richard Lee (NZL), Edward Michaels (USA), Ben St John (ENG)

69 - Yeh Chang-Ting (TPE), Artemio Murakami (PHI), Juvic Pagunsan (PHI), Mark Mouland (WAL), Mitchell Brown (AUS), Ashley Hall (AUS), Somkiat Srisanga (THA), David Freeman (HKG), Angelo Que (PHI), Atthaphon Prathummanee (THA), Han Lee (USA)

August 30, 2007

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