Tabuena and Kemmer lead in Thailand, Gandon 63rd

A Frenchman is engaged this week on the Asian Tour. Originally from Valence, Jérémy Gandon obtained his playing rights at the start of the year for the Asian circuit. At the end of this first round, the 26-year-old Habs returned a card of 70 (-2) by making 5 birdies, a bogey and a double bogey. He is now in 63rd position alongside the best outfield player, the Thai Sadom Kaewkanjana (79th in the world) as well as his compatriot Phachara Khongwatmai (3rd best outfield player, 179th in the world).

The leaders are Filipino Miguel Tabuena and American Dodge Kemmer at -8. They both went bogey-free with a total of 8 birdies. The Filipino, who had a complicated season last year, has his first provisional top 1 of the season after finishing twice in the top 15 of the International Series in Oman and Qatar: “I didn’t play very well last year. I had some free time, but was lucky enough to hold my card for about 50 bucks, was the last person in, and figured that would never happen again. I worked very hard in the offseason and I think it shows a bit. I finished 13th in Oman and in the top 10 in Qatar. The game is there, I’m happy that things are falling into place. »

The American made 6 of his 8 birdies on the last nine holes, in order to get back up to Tabuena: “The start was rather slow, I had a lot of chances and it took me a while to understand the greens, Kemmer said. I will try to do even better tomorrow (Friday), continue to hit aggressively and maybe learn a bit more about the greens and sink some more putts. »

A shot behind, in 3rd position at -7, there is the local Jazz Janewattananond, author of a clear round with 7 birdies. And his compatriot Kiradech Aphibarnrat, former PGA Tour player, who made 8 birdies and a bogey: “I hit the ball much better. I’m working with my new coach, Mike Walker, and I think we’re working in the right way. I just need a good week to put everything in place. And I hope my body is strong enough to play for the next four days. I often played with an injury in the last three years, I had pain in my right knee, in my left hip, it appeared like this. »

Behind them, we find in 5th position at -6, the locals Ekpharit Wu, Danthai Booma, Sette Prakongvech and Nitithorn Thippong. As well as the rookie, originally from Hong Kong, Taichi Kho, the American Turk Pettit, the Australian Andrew Dodt and the South Korean Bio Kim (2nd best player in the field, 155th in the world).