Unknown Thai springs surprise

Duangdecha: one-shot lead

First round leaderboard:
(GB & Ire unless stated)
U Duangdecha (Tha) -8
R-J Derksen (Ned) -7
G Bourdy (Fra) -6
D Dixon -6
T Jaidee (Tha) -6
Lin W-T (Chi Tai) -6

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Unheralded Thai Udorn Duangdecha shot a spectacular 62 to claim the outright lead after the first round of the Hong Kong Open.

Only a bogey at the last in the gathering gloom denied Duangdecha a share of the course record at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling, but the 39-year-old still enjoys a one-shot advantage over the field.

His closest challenger is Dutchman Robert Jan-Derksen who topped the leaderboard with his seven-under-par 63 before Duangdecha's charge late in the day.

Defending champion, Lin Wen-tang of Chinese Taipai, is just two shots off the pace after an opening 64 which leaves him in a share of third alongside Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Thongchai Jaidee, England's David Dixon and Gregory Bourdy of France.

Former Open champion Ben Curtis and South African duo Charl Schwartzel and Rory Sabbatini are part of a nine-man group at five-under, while Race to Dubai protagonists Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy both opened their campaigns with four-under-par 66s.

But it is Duangdecha, who despite enjoying his best-ever season on the Asian Tour still has career earnings totalling less than $100,000, leading the way after a memorable round that included ten birdies and two bogeys.

Starting at the tenth, he was two-under through his first seven holes, but then embarked on a remarkable run that saw five consecutive birdies at the 17th, 18th, first, second and third.

Two more then followed at six and seven as he put daylight between himself and the field, but as the light faded and heavy rain fell, he three-putted the last green for a closing bogey-five.

Not surprised

However, he still cut a hugely satisfied figure afterwards, stating: "I am not surprised by how I played because I followed my game-plan.

"Last year my preparations were not very good but this year I have a better feeling. My body is in a better shape and I have had better practice."

Former Dutch amateur champion Derksen, who last tasted victory at the 2005 Madeira Island Open, finished with a flourish as he produced five birdies and the only bogey of his round over his last six holes.

"It was very good," he said. "I didn't hit many bad shots, just one three-putt at 16.

"I hit almost all the greens and fairways to give myself chances and I putted beautifully."

McIlroy finished as runner-up 12 months ago after losing out in a play-off and was satisfied after putting himself in contention once again, declaring: "I am happy with 66. I could have let it get away from me on the front nine, my back nine, but it is okay.

"I am in a good position but there is still a lot of golf left to play so it was nice to get off to a good start."

Puzzling greens

Westwood was also more than happy with what was his first competitive round at the course, adding: "It was good, the only green I missed was the last hole I played and it is a tough green at number nine. I had a lot of chances.

"The greens are puzzling, I think I am at a disadvantage having only played the course once before.

"It is pretty obvious tee to green but there is a big advantage having played a few tournaments around here so, to start with a 66, I am delighted because the only two bogeys I made were three-putts and I missed a lot of chances."

Frenchman Jean-Francois Lucquin made a hole-in-one at the 12th, his third hole, during an opening round of 69.