Thailand’s Itthipat Buranatanyarat fired a six-under-par 65 to take the lead on the opening day of the Bangabandhu Cup Golf Bangladesh Open today at Kurmitola Golf Club, in Dhaka.
His compatriot Kosuke Hamamoto and Chinese-Taipei’s Chang Wei-lun shot 66s to lie in second place while Korean Seung Park carded a 67.
Related: Sadom ready for more winning moments at Kurmitola Golf Club
Bangladesh’s Jamal Hossain and Badal Hossain gave local fans plenty to cheer about after carding 68s, along with Chan Shih-chang from Chinese-Taipei, England’s Ben Jones, and Thailand’s Pawin Ingkhapradit, Danthai Boonma and Pavit Tangkamolprasert.
“Looks like my game is back!” said Itthipat, who after starting on 10 went on a birdie blitz with gains on 11, 14, 15, 17 and 18 to make the turn in five under.
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“Before I missed the cut at five events in a row. I am always confident with myself but today I played well because I hit a lot of fairways, and my approach shots were very good, that’s why I can make birdies.
“I am still trying to find a way to win on the Asian Tour, so hopefully this will be the week.”
Chang hit the shot of the day to move in contention, holing his second shot from 75 yards for eagle on the par-four 18th.
Like Itthipat, he has been struggling with his game lately.
He said: “I have been missing cuts the last few months, so it was nice to get off to a good start this week. We had a local event on my home course in Taiwan last week. I went straight there after returning from Egypt, didn’t get much rest. Came in second which gave me some confidence as well coming to this week.”
Hamamoto, winner of the SEA Games individual gold medal in 2017, was bogey free with two birdies on the front and three on the inward half for a much better experience compared with when he played here last time and missed the cut.
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“When I played here in 2019 it was my first Asian Tour event, so I was very nervous,” said Hamamoto, whose father is Japanese and mother Thai.
“I didn’t know how to handle things but now I guess I know more and have experience and know how to manage mistakes.”
He is also benefitting from trying to enjoy himself on the course.
“It was a good day out there, everything felt very nice,” said the Thai, whose caddie this week is ‘Camp’, formerly Thailand Jazz Janewattananond’s bagman.
“To be honest my attitude was great, I am more happy on the course. I am not focusing on anything, just trying to be happy. Whatever happens, happens.
“In the middle of the season I was struggling but I changed coach, I changed caddie and changed clubs and it seems to be working.”
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Park was also bogey free and chipped in twice to save pars on holes six and eight, from six and 20 feet respectively.
He said: “Kept the ball in play today, hit my driver well and, found most of the fairways, which helped my score. Good start for my first time in Bangladesh.”
Bangladesh number one Siddikur Rahman came in with a 69, Thailand’s amateur star Ratchanon “TK” Chantananuwat carded a 71 and his countryman and defending champion Sadom Kaewkanjana fired a 72.
