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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei : Thailand's Thammanoon Srirot produced a superb chip-in birdie on the last hole to equal the course record of nine-under-par 62 in the first round of the Brunei Open on Thursday.
Thammanoon posted a flawless round with nine birdies to open up a two-stroke lead over Bangladesh's Siddikur, who was one of two players to shoot a hole-in-one at the Empire Hotel and Country Club.
Taiwan's Sung Mao-chang blasted the first ace on the 14th hole but signed a 74 at the 3,000 US dollar Asian Tour full field tournament.
South Korea's Lee Sung and Australia's Adam Groom, who shot two eagles, took a share of third placing with 65s.
Thammanoon, a five-time Asian Tour winner, brilliantly made the turn in 29 before adding three birdies on the back nine. He was delighted to end his round on a high note when he sank his chip from 25 yards out on the 18th hole.
"I'm very impressed with my game. Everything was perfect from my drive, irons and putting. It was all working 100 percent," said Thammanoon, whose last Asian Tour victory was way back in 2004.
"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."
Siddikur, who is the first Bangladeshi to play on the Asian Tour, was thrilled to shoot his first ace on Tour after his six-iron tee shot rolled in the hole on four.
Siddikur was surprised with his result but credited his strong iron play.
"Of course I'm happy with a seven-under-par. I putted very well and had a hole-in-one which was the highlight. My putting has been the strong point for me this season," said Siddikur, who finished tied eighth at the Queen's Cup in June.
- AFP /ls
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