Jaidee takes opening two shot lead

Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee leads the way after the first round of the Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth, shooting a five-under round of 67 in placid morning conditions.

Only 16 players posted sub-par rounds at the Lake Karrinyup course today, but the layout posed no problems for Thongchai who drilled six birdies in a consistent round. He shot three birdies on each nine with his only blemish coming in the form of a bogey at the par four 14th.

Playing in a group with Spain’s Sergio Garcia and Australian Adam Scott, Thongchai outplayed his higher credentialed opponents.

A former soldier, Thongchai came to prominence on the Davidoff Tour last year when he narrowly won the Tour Order of Merit, which included a victory in the Indian Open. Garcia shot a 69 after an up and down round, which included an eagle at the par five 15th. The Spaniard had nothing but praise for his Thai playing partner.

“He played very steady, very well. He hit the ball well and straight and hit some really good iron shots and made some good putts,” Garcia said.

New Zealander Michael Campbell joins Garcia in second place on three under. Campbell threatened to tear the course apart when he was six-under through eleven holes.

Having started at the tenth, Campbell shot five birdies in succession from 13 to 17, continuing the red-hot putting form he found himself in for all but one hole at the New Zealand Open. But three bogeys in the last seven holes put a halt to his charge and the Kiwi was left lamenting what could have been.

“It was two different halves really. The first nine holes on the back nine I was very surprised how well I played. I am not really a morning person.” Campbell said, “ The whole course changed completely after we’d played about ten holes. The greens got two or three feet faster.”

Thongchai Jaidee’s great rival on the Asian Tour, Korean Charlie Wi, finished the round equal fourth on two-under along with South African Retief Goosen. The US Open champion had a mixed start to the tournament with an eagle, three birdies and three bogeys in his round.

In contrast, Wi was a model of consistency shooting three birdies on the back nine. As if to exemplify the international flavour of the event the top six players came from five different countries.

Andrew Bonhomme was looking to make that six as in the fading light he stayed at one-under with three holes to play.

Englishman Simon Dyson handled the Fremantle doctor the best of any of the afternoon players and was only two off the pace until he faltered with two bogeys in the last three holes.

Lee Westwood had a similarly tragic finish dropping three shots in the last three to end up even. His countryman Nick Faldo finished one shot better off after making the most of his early start. Local Brett Rumford also finished one-under and provided the highlight of the day after going within inches of a hole in one on the fifth.

After pulling out of the pro-am event with a sore back, Victorian Aaron Baddeley, struggled to shrug off a virus today. He had a frustrating day and finished three over and he wasn’t the only big name blown away in the afternoon wind.

Young English star Justin Rose had a bad start and did well to keep it to six-over while his playing partner, New Zealand Open winner, Craig Parry also never looked comfortable and also finished six over. Scot Colin Montgomerie, who tried everything including a cross-handed grip to combat the fast Lake Karrinyup greens, finished the day at four over.

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