Budsabakorn takes one-shot lead at Thai LPGA Masters

Budsabakorn takes one-shot lead at Thai LPGA Masters

Budsabakorn Sukapan during the first round yesterday.
Budsabakorn Sukapan during the first round yesterday.

LPGA Tour player Budsabakorn Sukapan posted a five-under-par 67 to take a one-shot lead in the opening round of the Thailand LPGA Masters yesterday.

The 19-year-old from Chiang Rai made five birdies in a bogey-free round at Bangkok's Panya Indra Golf club.

One stroke off the pace were two teenagers, 14-year-old amateur Arpichaya Yubol and Pannarat Thanapolboonyarat, 18.

Canada's Kyla Inaba, Rodiguez Cyna of the Philippines and Kanphanitna Muangkhumsakul were joint fourth on 69 at the four-million-baht tournament.

Budsabakorn said that the key to her good round was putting and that she gave herself a lot of birdie chances due to her iron play.

LPGA Tour rookie Pannarat said that she played solid golf and wanted to finish better than her seventh place in the tournament last year.

Benyapa Niphatsophon, Prima Thammaraks and Wanchana Poruangrong each fired a 70 to share seventh spot in the 84-player field.

Patcharajutar Kongkraphan, another LPGA Tour star, carded a 73 with four birdies and five bogeys to tie for 27th with six other players including Saranporn Langkulkasettrin.

The 54-hole tournament, co-sanctioned by the Australian Ladies Professional Golf, is the season-ending event of the 2016 Thai LPGA Tour.

The winner will take home 600,000 baht in prize money.

Meanwhile, in-form Prayad Marksaeng is eyeing another title in Japan at this week's Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup.

The 50-year-old Thai, who have won two consecutive Japan Senior Tour titles, is returning to the main tour this week at the US$1.3 million tournament, co-sanctioned by the Japan and Asian tours.

The Hua Hin native is in confident mood as he won the event in 2008.

However, he said the main tour is much tougher than the senior circuit.

"I know the main tour is more difficult but I am ready for it," said Prayad.

The other Thais in the field include Thanyakorn Khrongpha, Thitiphun Chuayprakrong, Chapchai Nirat, Phachara Khongwatmai, Pariya Junhasawasdikul and Natipong Srithong.

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