2008 Philippine Open - Round 1: Ichihara takes one stroke lead

Japanese hotshot Kodai Ichihara took charge at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club by firing a six-under-par 66 for the opening round lead at the Philippine Open on Thursday.

Ichihara, the 2008 Asian Tour’s Qualifying School graduate, fired seven birdies against a lone bogey for a one stroke advantage over local hero Benjie Magada and Australia’s Gavin Flint who carded matching 67s.

Ashley Hall of Australia shot a 68 to lie in a tie for fourth place together with Thailand’s Chawalit Plaphol in the US$300,000 Asian Tour event. Australian Michael Wright was in lone sixth spot three strokes off the pace while Thai youngster Wisut Artjanawat carded a 70 to lie in seventh place.

“My putting was excellent today. I holed a 36 foot birdie putt on the fourth hole and that got my momentum going,” said the 25-year-old Ichihara.

Ichihara earned his first full playing rights on the Asian Tour in 2001 and returned this year when he finished in tied 15th place at the Qualifying School in Malaysia last December. He is playing in his third event this season and is pleased to be right in the mix this week.

“This is my first time playing at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club and I love it here. I like challenging courses because I’m not a long hitter. I’m more suited to difficult courses that require a lot of thinking,” admitted the Tokyo-based player.

Magada, who turned professional in 1992, eagled the par five fourth hole as he was the highest ranked local player after a 67.

“I did not have much tournament exposure prior to this week so I am quite surprised to be among the top players. My putting and driving has been the key for me today. I finished in the top-10 last year and I hope to better than result this week,” said Magada, who resides in Antipolo City which is located on the outskirts of Manila. He is enjoying a fruitful professional career at home winning seven titles on the domestic circuit.

“I am happy to have a good start and I hope to keep it this way right through the end,” added the 41-year-old Magada, who finished tied 11th last year.

Brisbane-based Flint was relieved to have bounced back from a slow start this season as he fired six birdies against a dropped shot to lie in a tie for second place.

“I played well and made the putts today. I started on the back nine and was three under. I came home on two under so it was nice to be playing steady,” said Flint, who hopes to improve on his 48th ranking on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit.

Chawalit, a two-time winner in Asia, will be riding on his opening round result to better his performance in 2002.

“I held the share of the lead in 2002 but this year, I hope to finish the tournament on top. I like this course very much as you need to keep it on the fairway which was what I was doing today.

“I’ve gained a lot of confidence since the Asian Tour International as it helped get my game back on track. I’m riding on that form now,” said Chawalit, who finished tied 13th in Pattaya two weeks ago.

Defending champion Frankie Minoza endured a slow start after a 76 in a tie for 80th position.

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

66 - Kodai Ichihara (JPN)
67 - Gavin Flint (AUS), Benjie Magada (PHI)
68 - Chawalit Plaphol (THA), Ashley Hall (AUS)
69 - Michael Wright (AUS)
70 - Wisut Artjanawat (THA)
71 - Brad Kennedy (AUS), Artemio Murakami (PHI), Young Nam (KOR), Marlon Dizon (PHI), Atthaphon Prathummanee (THA), Chang Tse-peng (TPE), Lin Keng-chi (TPE), Ben Leong (MAS), Antonio Lascuna (PHI), Danny Chia (MAS), Jonel Ababa [A (PHI)
72 - Arjun Singh (IND), Chris Rodgers (ENG), Thaworn Wiratchant (THA), Mitchell Brown (AUS), Steven Tiley (ENG), Pat Giles (AUS), Will Yanagisawa (USA), Ronald Pactolerin (PHI)

Others:

76 - Frankie Minoza (PHI)

April 3, 2008