Hong Kong’s impressive young amateur star Taichi Kho and Thailand’s Itthipat Buranatanyarat fired stunning bogey-free eight-under-par 64s to take the clubhouse lead in the rain and lightning-interrupted first round of the Mandiri Indonesia Open today at Pondok Indah Golf Course.
Kho, ranked 100th on the World Amateur Golf Ranking, sensationally took the lead in a professional event for the first time when he holed his third shot on the par-five ninth, which was his 18th, to join Itthipat at the top of the leaderboard.
Related: Gaganjeet Bhullar chases exclusive nugget at Indonesia Open
A total of 59 players where unable to finish due to two weather delays earlier before play was abandoned due to fading light.
Two of Thailand’s most decorated golfers Prayad Marksaeng and Chapchai Nirat shot 65s, while Tirawat Kaewsiribandit carded a 66.
The US$500,000 event is the 11th stop of the season on the Asian Tour.
“It was great,” said Kho, whose father Victor is caddying for him.
“I was really happy with the way I played. I stuck to my game plan. I managed to hit some good shots on my back nine.
View this post on Instagram
“On nine I was out of position off the tee, but I managed to get it back in play. I had 93 yards for my approach, I hit it really nice, but I did not expect it to go in.”
Kho, who plays his college golf at the University of Notre Dame, hit the headlines last year when he finished second in the Asian Amateur Championship.
“Eight birdies, no bogeys, wow!” said Itthipat.
“I could see the lines on the greens, and my caddie did as well. And I like the course, I have played well here before.”
View this post on Instagram
He played in two LIV Golf Invitational events this year, in London and Portland, and feels he is a better player for the experience.
“I played with the big names and learned so much. I have reset the things I work on now because of it,” he added.
Ten-time Asian Tour winner Prayad, aged 56, rolled back the years making seven birdies and no bogeys.
“It’s my first time playing here, so I didn’t expect too much, just planned to stay on the fairway. Luckily, my tee shots were the best part of my game today,” said the Thai veteran, who won on the senior tour in Thailand in May in his hometown of Hua Hin.
“And, I made a great birdie on the first hole, that helped. I feel chilled this week, happy to see so many familiar faces.”
Chapchai, a four-time winner on the Tour, mirrored Prayad’s seven birdie bogey free performance. The 39 year old has not won on Asian Tour since 2014.
Unlike his three countryman ahead of him Tirawat did make a couple of bogeys but was happy to continue to play well after discovering some form in Thailand recently.
“I have been playing well on the All Thailand Golf Tour over past two weeks, a top-five and a top-10, so I am feeling good about this week,” he said.
“I got off to the perfect start, two birdies on first two holes. I like the course but it’s a little bit difficult for tee shots, but today that part of my game was okay.”
India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar returned a 68; he is bidding to win the event for a record third time, following his successes in 2013 and 2016.
