Palembang, October 24 - Thailand’s Gunn Charoenkul fired a flawless seven-under-par 65 to take the first round lead in the Palembang Musi Championship.
Gunn, full of confidence following victory on the Thai PGA Tour last week, made seven birdies at Palembang Golf Club to lead from his compatriot Pawin Ingkhapradit, who shot 66.
Indonesia’s George Gandranata and Annop Tangkamolprasert and Panuwat Muenlek from Thailand are in joint third place after carding 67s.
Boasting prize money of US$150,000 the tournament is the richest event on this year’s ASEAN PGA Tour.
It is also the final counting event for the Barclays Singapore Open with the leading three players on the Order of Merit qualifying for the US$6 million event in two weeks.
Gunn, aged 20, won the Singha Esan Open on the ASEAN PGA Tour in August for his first win since turning professional last year.
He won that event in a play-off, against Malaysian Nicholas Fung, plus he also triumphed in extra time last week in the Sir James Classic and after today’s sizzling round it looks like he will again be challenging for honours.
“Got the birdies going and had a bogey free round so I am happy with that,” said Gunn.
“The greens are a bit slow and the course is not that hard because we are playing preferred lies.”
The talent young Thai is halfway through studying business at Bangkok University and will graduate at the end of 2014.
However, after an impressive start to his professional career he may not need to rely on academic qualifications.
Gunn is presently in third place on the Merit list and his fine first round means he is in a strong position to qualify for the Singapore Open, which will be played from November 8 to 11.
First place this week is worth US$24,050, second is US$16,465 and third US$9,145.50, meaning the race to qualify for Sentosa Golf Club is wide open.
“I really want to make it through to the Barclays Singapore Open. That really is a huge goal this week with so many in with a chance of making it through.”
Gunn says his success is the result of a huge improvement in his putting.
He said: “I have been working really hard on my putting with my father. I have been working on making a bigger arc as I used to have a really short follow through.”
Fung, who was second here last year, returned a 68 along with S. Siva Chandran from Malaysia and Thailand’s Piya Swangarunporn.
Piya went out in six-under-par 30 but struggled home in two over.
Defending champion Wisut Artjanawat from Thailand, winner by five shots last season, came in with a 71 while Indonesia number one Rory Hie carded a 74.
Leading first round scores (Par 72):
65 - Gunn Charoenkul (THA)
66 - Pawin Ingkhapradit (THA)
67 - George Gandranata (INA), Annop Tangkamolprasert (THA), Panuwat Muenlek (THA)
68 - S Siva Chandran (MAS), Piya Swangarunporn (THA), Nicholas Fung (MAS)
69 - Andik Mauluddin (INA), Borworn Chaisri (THA), Junaidi Ibrahim (INA), Antonio Lascuna (PHI)
70 - Andi Yatmo (INA), Sirapong Maitreeyuenyong (THA), Indra Hermawan (INA), Stephen Lindskog (SWE)
71 - Somsak Khaoprathum (THA), Jamel Ondo (INA), Alwie Ramadhan (INA), Rattanon Wannasrichan (THA), Denny A Wijaya (INA), Nguyen Thai Duong (VNM), Wisut Artjanawat (THA), Heri KL (INA)
Selected:
72 – Mardan Mamat (SIN), Jay Bayron (PHI)
75 - Rory Hie (INA)
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