Six tied for the lead in Khon Kaen

BY N ON November Fri, 2021 19:02

Six tied for the lead in Khon Kaen

Six players led by defending champion Phachara Khongwatmai were tied for the lead in the first round of the 3-million baht Singha E-San Open in Khon Kaen on Thursday.

In-form Phachara, who won Singha Pattaya Open and was joint 3rd at Thailand Open in the last two events, made five birdies and two bogeys for a 3-under-69 at par-72 Singha Park Khaen Golf Club, the only venue for this annual tournament since its establishment in 2006.

Joining Songkhla-born Pharchara at the top of the leaderboard were Chana Sakulpolphaisan, Denwit David Boriboonsub, Wongsakorn Pikunsawat, Chonlatit Cheunboonngam and Nattawat Suvajanakorn, who are all looking for their first win on All Thailand Golf Tour.

Phachara, who beat Kosuke Hamamoto in the playoff to take his second win here after success in 2016, said that considering the course condition, he became more than happy with the score.

“It is not so good. But it is not that bad because the course is really tough,” said the 23-year-old, who is seeking for his 7th on ATGT.

“It is the score I can take it for sure.”

Danthai Boonma, who won here twice here, and last week’s Thailand Open runner-up Prom Meesawat, each fired a 73 for 27th.

Thai-Japan Hamamoto, Panuphol Pittayarat and Thammanoon Srirot were tied for 48th following their opening 74.

The winner of the 14th edition of Singha E-San Open would take home 450,000 baht and five world ranking points. Importantly, this is the last event to decide who, based on the Order of Merit, will be qualifying for two Asian Tour events in Phuket next month.