CHIANG RAI : South Korea's Baek Seuk-Hyun and amateur Terry Jang took the lead in the men's and women's events respectively in the opening round of the Singha Masters.
Baek Seuk-Hyun
Baek fired an 11-under-par 61 to take a five-shot lead in the men's division while Jang posted a two-under-par 70 to stay one shot ahead of her opponents.
Playing his first tournament of the year, Thailand-based Baek enjoyed his bogey-free round at the par-72 Santiburi Country Club.
Defending champion Prayad Marksaeng was tied in second with last year's runner-up Chapchai Nirat, Borworn Chaisri, Sutijet Kurattanapaisarn and Singapore's Choo Tze Huang. They all posted 66s to stay five shots behind the leader.
Boonchu Ruangkit, 65, shared seventh place with Kwanchai Tannin and Atiwit Janewattananond after 67s.
Despite producing his career-best round of 11-under, the 23-year-old Baek, who made 11 birdies, was not surprised by his performance.
"I used to shoot eight-under at this course. So, I am not surprised with the score today," said Baek, who finished third last year, shooting a final-round 69 for a 19-under-par 288, eight strokes behind winner Prayad.
"I had a good record here. So, I play confidently," he said. "My irons are also great. I missed two birdie putts. Otherwise, it would have been 13-under."
Despite shooting such a low round, Baek, who has been living in Thailand for 12 years, said it was too early to talk about the title because so many good players remain in the field.
However, Baek admitted it would be nice to finally end his two-year drought.
"I hope to win this week. It will be such a great boost before kicking off my Asian Tour campaign," said Baek, who finished 31st on the Asian Tour Order of Merit last year.
In an attempt to win the tournament for the fifth time, Prayad, who made six birdies in a bogey-free round yesterday, was satisfied with his game.
"Everything is perfect except my putting," he said. "If my putter lived up to its standard, I would have taken the lead today."
Despite trailing the leader by five shots, the 46-year-old star, who was victorious on 27-under last year, was confident he would be in contention for the title come the final round.
"At this kind of course, putting is needed to win," he said.
Asian Tour No.1 Thaworn Wiratchant posted a four-under-par 68 to tie for 10th place with five other players, including Thammanoon Srirot and Pavit Tangkamolprasert.
In the 54-hole women's division, where 21 players are playing, South Korean amateur Jang took a one-shot lead after her opening 70. She made two birdies against a lone bogey at the 18th.
Holder Thidapa Suwannapura was a shot behind, alongside Goonlacha Paiboonpong, Nimmita Juntanaket, Tiffany Tavee and Jaruporn Palakawong na Ayutthaya.