Somsak Shines In Palembang

Palembang, Indonesia, October 13: Thailand’s Somsak Khaoprathum experienced the thrill of leading a tournament for the first time in his fledgling career today when he fired a six-under-par 66 on the opening day of the US$75,000 Palembang Musi Championship.

A brilliant five-under-par back nine, which included four birdies in a row from the 14th, at Palembang Golf Club saw him shine in the fifth event of the season on the ASEAN PGA Tour.

Ilyassak, the elder statesman of Indonesian golf, rolled back the years and carded a 68 to tie for second place with Thailand’s Tanutchan Puaktes.

Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung and Anthony Fernando from the Philippines are a stroke further behind.

“It is my best round as a professional. I felt very relaxed and holed a lot of putts from about 20 feet. I wasn’t thinking about my score too much and so when I finished it was only then I realized that I was leading,” said Somsak.

The 24 year old from Bangkok made the turn in one under before bursting into life on the homeward stretch.

“I have mainly been playing on the local Tour in Thailand this year so it feels great to be able to play overseas for a change. It is exciting and definitely lifted my game today,” added Somsak, who turned professional in 2008.

In contrast to the young Thai leader, Ilyassak has over two decades of experience of playing in tournaments around the region. He has long been one of the most recognizable golfers from his country with his thick distinctive moustache and tall frame.

“This is an old style golf course which I am very used to playing. It gives me a bit of an advantage although it will difficult to keep this going against all these young players,” said the man from Aceh who has won multiple titles in Indonesia.

Ilyassak made five birdies and dropped one stroke.

Fung, one of the pre-tournament favourites having won back to back events on the PGM Tour of Malaysia last month was content with his opening salvo.

“It is a tricky course that requires a sharp short game. It is not a very long course but requires a lot of concentration. It was a good start for me,” said Fung, who claimed last year/s Mercedes-Benz Masters Vietnam on the ASEAN PGA Tour.

Singapore amateur Choo Tze Huang, winner of the individual and team titles in last month’s Putra Cup, made a solid start after carding a 72 and lies joint 10th with 14 other players.

Indonesia’s Rory Hie, the country’s top golfer, came in with a 73.

The former US college star is another of the favourties this week having finished second this year in the Indonesia PGA Championship and Indonesia Open presented by Enjoy Jakarta, both of which are on OneAsia.

Leading First Round Scores:

(Par 72)

Indonesian unless stated

(a) denotes amateur

66 - Somsak Khaoprathum (THA)
68 – Ilyassak, Tanutchan Puaktes (THA)
69 – Anthony Fernando (PHI), Nicholas Fung (MAS)
70 – Nasin Surachman, Ekalak Waisayakul (THA), A. Abrahamsyah
71 – Wisut Artjanwat (THA)
72 – Andik Mauludin, Maman Suherman, Marvin Dumandan (PHI), Khor Kheng Hwai (MAS), Pavit Tangkamloprasert (THA), Rinaldi Adiandono, Alan Chin (MAS), I Irmansyah,, Ade Sebul, Johannes Dermawan, Choo Tze Huang (SIN) (a), Kasiadi, Aminuddin Ali, Jamel Ondo, Supravee Phatam (THA)

Selected scores:
73 – Rory Hie, Airil Rizman (MAS), Jay Bayron (PHI), Varut Chomchalam (THA)