Friday 13 February 2015 07:33, UK
Michael Hoey carded a course record eight-under 64 to move one shot clear at the opening round of the inaugural True Thailand Classic.
The Northern Irishman fired eight birdies at the Black Mountain Golf Club, including three in a row on the back nine, to leave three players including David Lipsky a shot back tied-second.
“No bogeys, no fives on the card, and a course record is a nice start, the world No 227 said. “We had 10 or 11 holes with not much wind, which was an advantage teeing off early.
“I hit the ball well, and it suits me that there’s a bit of length off the tee; you can carry a few corners and reach the par fives.
"I’m swinging the club nicely so hopefully I’ll put three more good rounds together and see what happens."
Lipsky ended with back-to-back birdies in his opening 65, with his only blemish coming via a bogey at the par three eighth.
Joining the American on seven-under were Taiwan's Chien-yao Hung and Carlos Pigem, with the Spaniard's round inclduing five birdies and an eagle.
Best of the rest
Five birdies on the front nine from Shiv Kapur helped the Indian card a six-under 66, with Miguel Angel Jimenez among a group of eight players a further shot back.
The Spaniard rolled back the years by holing his approach to the ninth for eagle, celebrating with a jig along the fairway, to finish level with home favourite and playing partner Kiradech Aphibarnrat.
After missing the cut at last week's Malaysian Open, Aphibarnrat carded seven birdies and an eagle during his first round, but was left rueing two early bogeys and a double-bogey at the last.
Renato Paratore was also in contention at the top of the leaderboard after 16 holes, but a late bogey and double bogey left the Italian three shots back.
Matt Ford was another to drop three shots on his back nine when he followed up a double-bogey on the 13th with a following hole bogey, but was still able to end five-under alongside Alex Noren and Scott Hend.
Malaysian Open winner Anirban Lahiri and Thongchai Jaidee both fired opening round 69’s, while Marc Warren recovered from opening with back-to-back bogeys to also finish three-under.
A shoulder injury saw Paul Waring end his tournament after a double-bogey on the 14th, while Simon Khan has withdrawn with a knee injury after opening with a six-over 78.
Watch day two of the True Thailand Classic live on Friday from 8am on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf.
