Flawless Donaldson opens up three-shot lead

Ryder Cup star Jamie Donaldson from Wales fired a stunning nine-under par 63 to take a three-stroke lead in the opening round of the Thailand Golf Championship at the Amata Spring Country Club on Thursday.

Donaldson, who secured the winning point for Europe at the 2014 Ryder Cup, enjoyed a faultless round playing exquisite golf in perfect conditions with little wind.

His nearest challengers on 66 were Spain's Sergio Garcia and two Thais, Chanat Sakulpolphaisan and Chinnarat Phadungsil. A shot further behind was another Thai, Natipong Srithong, and American Brett Munson.

Another Ryder Cup star, Martin Kaymer of Germany, and the exciting young English prospect Matthew Fitzpatrick were among a group of five players on 68.

"I couldn't do anything wrong today," said Donaldson, who opened up with four straight birdies and sunk another five on the back nine. "I never missed any fairways."

However, he said he would not get carried away. "I'll take it day by day and see what happens," he said. "I just need to continue this form."

He was particularly pleased as it was his first competitive round on the Amata Spring course.

"It's a great course and the weather was great too," he said.

Garcia surged up the leaderboard with a spectacular back nine. After reaching the turn one–under, he went on to sink six birdies on the back nine, with just one bogey.

"That was a wonderful back nine," said Garcia, fresh from winning the Ho Tran Open in Vietnam last week.

"Actually, I played okay on the front nine but the putts just didn't go in," he said. "I'm feeling good and playing steady shots. I'm in a good position going in to the next day."

It was a good showing by the young Thai players. Chanat Sakulpolphaisan, 25, a native of Chonburi where the course is located, hit seven birdies and just the one bogey. He said he was surprised at his score as he had to qualify to play in the event.

Law student Natipong Srithong, 22, who only turned professional in September, has enjoyed a great start to his career, having already won the Manila Masters last month. He had to take a university law exam on Monday but said it did not bother him.

Kaymer said he just missed out on winning the tournament last year and was determined to put on a good display this time.

"That's why I came back -- to win. Four-under par is a decent start and I fancy my chances," he said.

One of the star attractions, big-hitting Bubba Watson, could not reproduce his Bahamas form where he won last week. He experienced a mixed round with five birdies and four bogeys to finish on 71.

Local stars Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Thongchai Jaidee, had mixed fortunes. Aphibarnrat was going well but was derailed by a double-bogey at the 16th, to finish with a 69. Jaidee had to settle for a disappointing 73 along with Denmark's Thomas Bjorn.
Source: AFP