Team Hillier sit at the top of the leaderboard with a one-shot lead at the end of the first day of the Aramco Team Series – Bangkok.
The quartet of Whitney Hillier, Chonlada Chayanun, Krista Bakker and amateur Pattanan Amatanon combined for an excellent first round making the turn in -8 and having an equally good back nine to be 16-under-par for the tournament.
Related: Ana Palaez excited to return to familiar format
And captain Hillier, whose mother is Thai, was pleased with how her team began their round and the fact they had fun at Thai Country Club.
View this post on Instagram
“We just made birdies early, so we just had a good vibe. Everyone was gelling pretty well, and everyone was laughing and happy,” said Hillier. “It was a good team and we played well.”
Chayanun added: “I didn’t really make any birdies, but I just kept making par. But these three, they kept making birdies, so I just stuck with par. I just kept missing the putts so didn’t really make it today. I’ll help them tomorrow.”
While amateur Amatanon said: “My goal today was just to contribute to the team a little and the girls were very good and very supportive. I was happy to chip in during the round.”
Team Simmermacher is one shot back on 15-under-par after Magdalena Simmermacher, Charlotte Liautier, Isabella Deilert and amateur Sirapob Yapala all contributed during their round.
The quartet, who began their round on the 10th tee, did not drop a shot on day one and made the turn in -7 before producing a back nine of -8 to be in second place.
Captain Simmermacher said: “I think I picked a good team. We got lucky with the amateur because he’s really good, so he helped us a lot around the course. I think we played good golf today and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
“My putter was really hot, but I still had some three-putts and made some easy mistakes that I will have to work on a little bit. I think tomorrow is going to be fun,” said amateur Yapala.
Two teams are tied for third place with Team Henry and Team Tavatanakit both on 14-under-par having been -8 for the front nine and -6 for the back nine.
View this post on Instagram
In the individual competition, Patty Tavatanakit got off to a blistering start firing a course record 66 (-6) to set the pace and hold a one-shot lead.
View this post on Instagram
Seven birdies and one bogey saw the Thai talent end the day at the top of the leaderboard ahead of Spain’s Ana Peláez.
