Thailand’s Chinnarat Phadungsil carded a stunning 11-under-par 61 to claim a five-shot lead after the first round of the Avantha Masters in India yesterday.
Phadungsil went to the turn at Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort in Noida in 33, but covered the back nine in just 28 shots with eight birdies – seven in succession – and one par.
The 24-year-old, who became the youngest-ever winner on the Asian Tour by lifting the Double A International Open as a 17-year-old amateur in 2005, needed just 22 putts to tame the 7,347-yard course, the longest in the country.
“It’s my best round (ever),” Phadungsil said.
“Today was very hot putting. I holed a lot of great putts. On the back nine I drove the ball better, on the front nine I hit a lot of hook shots but holed my putts to save my score.
“I was a bit lucky; this morning was very windy but this afternoon on the back nine it slowed down and my game was also very good. I will try my best to keep it going.”
On a day of low scoring, fellow Thai players Chawalit Plaphol and Chapchai Nirat, India’s Abhijit Singh Chadha, Swede Magnus A Carlsson and China’s Wenchong Liang shared second place on six under.
Paul Whiteford was on four under. The Scot was challenging for victory in this event 12 months ago at DLF Golf & Country Club when he was disqualified during the final round after TV viewers spotted his ball move on the fairway in round three.
Japan’s Koumei Oda, meanwhile, nudged ahead of a six-man chasing pack by one stroke to lead OneAsia’ s season-opening Thailand Open in Bangkok also yesterday.
Defending champion Chris Wood of England and Pádraig Harrington were tied for 11th place with others, three shots off the lead.
Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley mixed four birdies with two bogeys for a two-under 70, tied for 49th place.
