Thais vow to keep focus

Thai aces Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng were satisfied with their World Cup form but said there was a lot of work to be done in the coming days.

They combined to card a five-under-par 67 to tie for 15th place, nine shots behind leaders Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy of Ireland in the four-ball format.

The Thai pair made four birdies against a lone bogey at the 14th hole where their respective tee shots found a bunker.

The 12-time Asian tour winner Thongchai who shot four birdies in his bogey-free round was satisfied with his first day's work but admitted they had good fortune on some holes.

"We had some good putts and were a bit lucky,"said the 40-year-old golfer who is going to the finish the year as the three-time Asian Tour No.1.

"The next three rounds are very important and the game plan must be as good as possible because it is a team event, not an individual tournament," he added.

Prayad admitted that he did not play up to standard due partly to his poor driving and putting.

"I had a problem with the driver," said Prayad who borrowed a driver from Thongchai, adding that his tee-shots were a bit shorter than usual.

"I also missed three birdie putts."

Prayad conceded that it could be much tougher in the foursome if his game does not improve and he would switch to using his own driver for the next three rounds.