hailand's Thammanoon Srirot produced a superb chip-in birdie on the last hole to equal the course record of nine-under 62 in the first round of the Brunei Open on Thursday. Picture: BT/ Rudolf Portillo

Thammanoon sets pace with sizzling 62 at Brunei Open

Thailand's Thammanoon Srirot fired a nine-under 62 to equal the course record and sit pretty atop the leaderboard after the first round of the Brunei Open yesterday.

With nine birdies at The Empire Hotel & Country Club, Thammanoon put himself in prime position to make the cut today at the sixth edition of the US$300,000 Asian Tour full field tournament.

The first Bangladeshi to play on the Asian Tour, Mohammad Siddikur was two strokes behind at 64 while South Korea's Lee Sung and Australia's Adam Groom, who shot two eagles, took a share of third at 65.

South Africa's Jbe Kruger, Gurki Shergill of India and Thailand's Panuwat Muenlek were a stroke back in tied fifth at the Jack Nicklaus-designed par-71 course.

"I'm very impressed with my game," said Thammanoon, a five-time Asian Tour winner whose last Asian Tour victory was in 2004.

"Everything was perfect from my drive, irons and putting. It was all working 100 per cent. I'm prepared for the challenge this week and if I can keep up my form for the next three days, I might be able to win it," added the Thai, who finished off with a chip from 25 yards out on the 18th hole.

Making 22 putts yesterday, Thammanoon equalled the course record set by India's C Muniyappa in last year's edition.

Thrilled to have shot his first ace on Tour after his six-iron tee shot rolled in the hole on four, Siddikur credited his strong iron play for his fantastic round.

"Of course I'm happy with a seven under. I putted very well and had a hole-in-one which was the highlight," he said.

"This is a confidence booster and I'm looking forward to the next three days. I saw Thammanoon shooting a nine under and I set a goal to shoot five under so this was beyond my expectation," added the Bangladeshi, who finished tied eighth at the Queen's Cup in June.

Lee, who was born deaf, returned to his best form after missing four consecutive cuts this season. The two-time Asian Tour winner carded a flawless round highlighted by six birdies.

"During the start of the season, I was struggling with my mental game but I managed to overcome it. I didn't do anything out of the extraordinary. I tried to keep calm and it worked," said Lee, who communicates by lip reading.

Groom, who lost his Asian Tour card last season, got off to a great start when he holed his chip from 120 yards out for an eagle-two on the fifth hole.

He turned in 34 and shot another eagle on the 12th hole before sprinkling further birdies on 13, 15 and 16.

"It was great to have two eagles in my round. It was a good way to start. It has been a while since I had two eagles in one day," said the 31-year-old Aussie.

"I have been trying to keep myself busy with small tournaments in Australia since losing my card. I also took a six-week break from golf to go for a holiday with my parents which was quite refreshing," he added.

The Brunei Times