Four-way tie as Thailand and South Korea lead
Thai duo Atthaya Thitikul and Phannarai Meesom-us fired matching four-under-par 68s on the opening day of the Simone Asia-Pacific Cup, forming part of a four-way tie for the lead on Thursday.
South Korea’s Da-yeon Lee and highly-rated amateur Hyo-song Lee also returned with identical 68s as the second edition of the Ladies Asian Tour (LAT) Series event got off to a pulsating start at the Pondok Indah Golf Club in Jakarta.
Phannarai, a third-year professional who predominantly competes in Thailand and Taiwan circuits, capitalised on her fine start by mixing six birdies with two bogeys, sharing the limelight with her more illustrious compatriot, Atthaya.
Atthaya, the highest-ranked player in the 58-woman field at world No. 9, lived up to her billing by also firing six birdies against two bogeys.
Hyo-song proved she is no pushover against her illustrious professional rivals by marking her scorecard with five birdies and one bogey, with Da-yeon matching her efforts.
The leading quartet holds a two-shot advantage over Thai amateur Eila Galitsky, South Korean pair Hee-jeong Lee and Min-byeol Kim, and Fiona Xu of New Zealand.
Meesom-us was pleased as punch to emerge as the joint leader, saying that a birdie-birdie start had helped set the tone for the day.
Despite hailing from a tropical country, Meesom-us admitted she was struggling to cope with the hot and humid weather.
“Really surprised to finish as one of the leaders.
“I started the first round really well with two birdies on the first two holes. From then on, I was confident that I could finish under-par. It’s just a question of how low can I go,” said Meesom-us.
“The course is in good shape, and I was hitting my irons really well. I did miss some shots, but overall, it was great except for the weather!
“Even as a Thai, I have to say that it’s really hot out there.”
Phannarai, making her Simone Asia-Pacific Cup debut, has expressed her excitement about the prospects of the LAT Series.
She said the formation of a women’s professional circuit in the Asia-Pacific region is much-needed to further grow the game here.
“This is the first time I’m playing in an LAT Series event, and it excites me a lot,” said Phannarai.
“Players like us need more of these events because we could gain plenty of experience out of it. This will serve us well and be a stepping stone for us before going to a higher level such as the LPGA Tour.”
Meanwhile, the team leaderboard saw Team Korea 5, comprising of Hyo-song and Min-sol Kim, rule the early proceedings.
Min-sol signed for a 72 to complement Hyo-song’s 68 as they led by one shot from Thailand 2 (Phannarai and Busabakorn Sukapan) and Thailand 4 (Atthaya Thitikul and Jaravee Bonchant).
Leading first round scores:
Individual
68: Hyo-song Lee (Kor-Am), Da-yeon Lee (Kor), Phannarai Meesom-us (Tha), Atthaya Thitikul (Tha);
70: Eila Galitsky (Tha-Am), Hee-jeong Lim (Kor), Min-byeol Kim, Fiona Xu (Nzl)
71: Robyn Choi (Aus), Pei-ying Tsai (Tpe), Saki Baba (Jpn), Yu-sang Hou (Tpe), Gaurika Bishnoi (Ind);
72: Daniela Uy (Phi), Min-sol Kim (Kor-Am), Nasa Hataoka (Jpn), Diksha Dagar (Ind).
Team
140: Korea 5 (Hyo-song Lee 68, Min-sol Kim 72);
141: Thailand 2 (Phannarai Meesom-us 68, Busabakorn Sukapan 73), Thailand 4 (Atthaya Thitikul 68, Jaravee Boonchant 73);
142: Korea 3 (Da-yeon Lee 68, So-young Lee 74)
143: India 2 (Gaurika Bishnoi 71, Diksha Dagar 72)
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