Rattanon Wannasrichan flew his country's flag high by taking a share of the first round lead with Janne Kaske of Finland in the 46th Thailand Open yesterday.
Rattanon and Bangkok-based Kaske shot matching nine-under-par 62s to lead by two shots from Panuphol Pittayarat in the US$300,000 event, which is making a return onto the Asian Tour schedule after an eight-year lapse.
The tournament was not staged last year due to financial problems.
The 2013 champion Prayad Marksaeng posted a fine 65 to trail the leading duo by three shots alongside Gaganjeet Bhullar of India, who was bogey-free at the scenic Thai Country Club in Chachoengsao.
Former Asian Tour No.1 Kiradech Aphibarnrat signed for a five-under 66 while American David Lipsky, the current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader, shot a disappointing 74.
Reigning Order of Merit champion Scott Hend of Australia signed for a 69 to lie seven shots off the pace.
Rattanon, from Chanthaburi, collected 10 birdies and conceded just one bogey while Kaske, who received a sponsor's invite, had nine birdies, an eagle and two bogeys yesterday.
The pair's opening 62s are the lowest 18-hole scores on the Asian Tour so far this season.
"I shot 10 birdies today and had just one bogey which was great for me," said Rattanon, who is chasing for a breakthrough victory on the Asian Tour.
"This is my best ever 18-hole score on the Asian Tour. I am really pleased with how I played. I will keep to the same game plan and try to hit my iron shots on the greens.
"I play this course only about once every year. Course knowledge is not really an advantage for me but I do feel comfortable every time I come to play on this course," added the 21-year-old, who had two top-five results in six starts this season.
Co-leader Kaske was equally happy with his performance.
"It was pretty awesome out there. I got off to quite a slow start but I birdied the tough par-three sixth hole and made an eagle on the par-five seventh hole. Things started to roll for me after that. I had a lot of looks from like 10 to 20 feet all day and I felt like I was making all of them. It's definitely one of the best putting rounds I have ever had.
"I live in Bangkok and I play here quite often. I think I have got like 15 rounds here overall. I am used to being out there and I've shot some low scores here before. It feels great to be playing well, especially coming into the tournament as a sponsor's invite."
The Thailand Open, inaugurated in 1965, is also the first leg of the newly launched Panasonic Swing, which provides a bonus pool across five designated tournaments. It has only three Thai winners including Suthep Meesawat (1991), Boonchu Ruangkit (1992 and 2004) and Prayad (2013).