Two-time champion Chanettee Wannasaen fired an opening 66 to take a three-stroke lead in the Bt3 million Thailand Mixed at Rayong Green Valley Country Club yesterday.
The 17-year-old, who has four titles including the first two Thailand Mixed events this year, produced seven birdies against a lone bogey on the 14th hole at the par 72 layout.
"I played quite okay even though I didn't make some easy putts. However, I made up for that by making several birdies from about 10 feet. It was a good start on this course where the greens are quite challenging. If you hit to the wrong spots, it will be really tough," said Chanettee, who just celebrated her fourth trophy of the year on the Thai LPGA Tour at the Laem Chabang International Country Club last week.
"About the game plan tomorrow, I have to be really careful on some holes. The ball can roll pretty fast off the green fringe if you aim to the wrong position," added Chanettee who, as the current No.1 on the TrustGolf Tour Order of Merit, has already reserved one of the two spots to compete in the Women's Scottish Open in July. The other spot will be decided after the final on Sunday.
Three players are tied in second place. That included 2017 Thai LPGA Tour No.1 Parinda Phokan, who fought back from two successive bogeys on the 14th and 15th holes to shoot five birdies ad finished with a 69.
"I got off to a slow start. It took me quite a while to get my momentum. A birdie on the 18th really boosted my confidence and things started to turn my way from then on," said the 25-year-old from Khon Kaen.
"This is a difficult course. A lot of winds and the flag positions are quite tough. You have to hit the ball to the right position or otherwise you will end up in trouble," added Parinda whose round of 69 were also matched by 2021 Thailand PGA Tour No.1 Sangchai Sukcharoen and Pannapa Polnamin.
Sangchai, 24, had four birdies after 14 holes but had his scorecard blemished by a mistake on the 15th.
"I hit great tee shots and hit the irons well on the front nine. But after the turn my shots didn't find the fairways. I hope to hit the fairways more to create more birdie chances tomorrow," Sangchai said.