2007 Volvo Masters of Asia - Round 1: Strange shoots two ahead with opening 65

Australian Scott Strange is hoping Lady Luck will steer him to victory in the Volvo Masters of Asia after grabbing the first round lead with a sparkling seven-under-par 65 on Thursday.

Strange, a two-time winner on the Asian Tour, was in irrepressible mood at the magnificent Thai Country Club, sinking eight birdies against a lone bogey to open up a two-shot lead over Filipino veteran Frankie Minoza and Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng.

Title holder Thongchai Jaidee began his defence with a battling 70 while compatriot Chapchai Nirat and Liang Wen-chong, who are in a straight fight for the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit crown in this week’s season finale, carded a 71 and 72 respectively.

The big-hitting Chapchai, ranked second on the Merit list, needs a victory to have any chance of toppling leader Liang in the race to end the year as Asia’s number one. He gave himself a fighting chance with a strong finish with two closing birdies.

The limelight on the opening day belonged to Strange, who is 20th on the Order of Merit after enjoying a stellar season. The Aussie is hoping to wrap up his campaign in Asia with a triumph at the Volvo Masters of Asia.

"It’s a good start. I played pretty good all day, hit a lot of fairways and greens," said the 30-year-old. "The rough is lower than normal but the greens are quick enough and hard enough to pose a problem. You can’t really stop a wedge shot. It’s running out 15 or 20 meters."

He turned in 32 with five birdies against a lone bogey before ramming home three more birdies on the 10th, 13th and 14th holes. Strange, who has seven top-20s this season, hopes his luck will carry him through Sunday.

"I’ve been in position (to win) a few times this year but haven’t finished them off. Hopefully I can do that this week. Things happen. I could be in the same position next year and win five times. It hasn’t worked out this year but golf is all about learning and you try to learn. You take the punches and the lucky breaks. You need luck to win tournaments. If I get a bit of luck this week, who knows," he said.

Minoza, 48, gave himself a shot at improving on last year’s runner-up finish to Thongchai with a card that included six birdies, including a chip-in on the demanding 18th hole.

His preparation was disrupted earlier in the week as he didn’t play a practice round at the Thai Country Club as his pro-am team did not show up. The Filipino star, who has won once each in Asia and Japan, is also hoping to muster enough energy to finish his year in style.

"I am happy but tired – it is a good start. This is my eighth tournament in a row which is a lot for a 48-year-old," smiled Minoza. "I like this course but I am tired. I was struggling on the back nine but my chipping and putting helped me through. I only had 23 putts – I am really happy with that."

He endured quite a dramatic finish, dropping a bogey on the 17th after an errant drive went so far right that it nearly reached the group on the 15th green but he recovered in style with a magnificent chip in for birdie.

"It was so far right I think I startled Prayad (Marksaeng) on the 15th green," smiled Minoza. "I made up for that by chipping in for birdie at the last."

Like Minoza, the smooth-swinging Prayad is also feeling the effects of a hectic season and was pleased to be away from the spotlight as he moved quietly into contention with a bogey-free card.

"After today’s round I am about 80 per cent confident that I can win the Volvo Masters of Asia," said Prayad, who finished joint third in the event in 2004. "There has not been much attention on me as people have been talking about Thongchai and Chapchai. I am just concentrating on my game. That is my approach every week."

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December 6, 2007