HSBC Indonesia Open 2006

Thai star Thongchai Jaidee struck an impressive six-under-par 66 for the joint first round lead in the US$1 million Enjoy Jakarta HSBC Indonesia O pen on Thursday.

Thongchai, who finished second in Malaysia two weeks ago, is tied alongside Chinese Taipei's veteran Wang Ter-chang, Englishman Simon Dyson and David Higgins of Ireland at the Emeralda Golf Club.

Andrew Buckle of Australia enjoyed a superb start with a 67 for tied fifth place and was joined by compatriot Brad Kennedy, Korean American Anthony Kang and Sweden 's Steven Jesse pen .

China 's Liang Wen-chong and Thailand 's Thammanoon Srirot carded 68s while India 's Rahil Ganjee battled through a sprained right wrist for a 69 in the event jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.

The second place finish in the Malaysian O pen prevented Thongchai from a historic treble of wins but the 37-year-old Thai is showing that he is determined to make up for that loss. The Thai, a two-time Asian Tour number one and currently third on the UBS Order of Merit, is also bidding for a ticket to the US Masters next month and a strong finish in Indonesia will strengthen his chances.

“After Malaysia I worked on my game and I was very happy with how I was doing. I came here with a positive feeling and hope to deliver a good result,” said Thongchai, a seven-time winner in Asia .

The former Thai paratrooper had a one stroke lead coming into the final hole after shooting an eagle on the par five first hole, six birdies and a bogey. He looked poised for the sole lead until finding trouble in the rough on the par four 18th hole.

“My second shot went into the rough and my third shot was no better as it went straight into the right rough. I then missed a 12-feet putt (for par). If my putting works well tomorrow, then there is a strong chance for me, but let's wait and see what hap pen s,” he said.

Wang, the reigning Macau O pen champion, was delighted with his first round performance as Emeralda which reminded him of the golf courses back in Taipei . “I had a rather good spell on the front nine where I struck birdies on the first, second, third and eighth holes. I only missed one fairway which is the key to my round,” said Wang.

“It was good and I'm happy with how I performed. The greens here are similar to the courses back home so that helped,” he added.

Buckle, who enjoyed an outstanding rookie season on the Asian Tour last year, was lurking behind the co-leaders as he searches for his first title in the region. However, he was ruing some poor putting.

“I'm not really satisfied with my performance as I missed some shot putts. But five under is not a bad score,” said the former world junior champion, who was sixth in last year's Order of Merit.

India 's Ganjee battled the pain of a sprained wrist as he carded a 69 to lie alongside Thai prodigy Chinarat Phadungsil, who had a roller coaster performance. Ganjee, 28, sustained the injury during his practice prior to the pro-am yesterday but produced some gutsy golf.

Dyson, who was the Order of Merit winner in Asia in his rookie professional year in 2000, and Higgins also enjoyed flying starts. Dyson was bogey free, shooting an eagle and four birdies while Higgins enjoyed a seven-birdie round.

China 's Liang Wen-chong and Thammanoon Srirot of Thailand carded 68s while title holder Thaworn Wiratchant endured a roller-coaster outing for a 72 with four birdies against as many bogeys.

Korea 's Charlie Wi, who triumphed in Malaysia a fortnight ago, also returned a 72.

Malaysia 's Danny Chia, meanwhile, shot the first albatross of the 2006 Asian Tour season at the par five first hole en route to an o pen ing 74. It was the 10th albatross in Asian Tour history. After a 300 yard plus drive at the 546 yard par five hole, Chia holed his second shot with a five iron from 198 yards out.