Thailand’s Tanapat Pichaikool edged his way into the lead at the Nam A Bank Vietnam Masters, posting a six under par 66 just before play was stopped in Round One at 5.28pm due to the threat of lightning.
Seven groups remain out on the course in the US$85,000 Asian Development Tour event, which is being held from June 12-14 at Royal Long An Golf & Villas, a championship course designed by Sir Nick Faldo on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh.
Tanapat posted seven birdies to secure his position, the only blemish on his card coming with a bogey on the par thee ninth hole, his last of the day. He holds a one shot advantage over compatriot Natipong Srithong and Korea’s Park Sang-ho.
“I putted very well today, said Tanapat after posting his score. “Some makeable long putts definitely helped my round. My ball striking was good but today it was windy so you couldn’t get the ball close enough, thankfully my putting solved that problem
“The course was set up great,” he enthused. “It’s a good challenge on some of the long par fours and the par fives so I’m just going to try to do the same thing tomorrow,” he added.
Nguyen Anh Minh
Vietnamese amateur Nguyen Anh Minh pictured in action during Round One of the Nam A Bank Vietnam Masters. The US$85,000 Asian Development Tour event is being held at Royal Long An Golf & Villas from June 12-14, 2024. Picture courtesy Vietnam Golf Association
Park, who held the clubhouse lead for most of the day, took advantage of some local knowledge and a turn of form to open up his lead.
“I missed only one green today and made a very good birdie putt, it wasn’t short. I putted very well today which was kind of lucky. I don’t usually putt like that,” he said after his round.
A former Korean PGA Tour player who moved to Vietnam eight years ago, Park is a regular at the Nam A Bank tournament and welcomed its elevation to the ADT this year.
“I’ve played here the last few years on the local tour but this year it is an ADT event so the setup was very tough for me.
“I used to play on the Korean tour but I don’t play on any other tours now, just some local events here. I’m glad I had the chance to play with the ADT here,” he added, “it’s been fun.”
Of those players who finished their rounds, Indonesia’s Jonathan Wijono shares fourth place on four under par with Australia’s Todd Sinnot and the Malysian duo of Galven Green and Paul San.
Singapore’s Koh Deng Shan sits in eight spot on three under par, together with Thailand’s Jakraphan Premsirigorn and Witchaynon Chothirunrungrueng, Liu Yanwei of China, Vietnamese amateur Nguyen Anh Minh and Pakistan’s Ahmad Baig who currently leads the ADT Order of Merit.
Round One will resume tomorrow morning at 6.30am and Round Two will continue as scheduled.