Asian Tour stars enjoy strong start at CIMB Asia Pacific Classic, Malaysia
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Thai stars Thongchai Jaidee, Pariya Junhasavasdikul and Singaporean veteran Mardan Mamat enjoyed solid starts at the inaugural CIMB Asia Pacific Classic, Malaysia on Thursday.
The trio posted identical five-under-par 66s to trail first round leader Ricky Barnes of the United States by three strokes at the Mines Resort and Golf Club and will take pride in their battling performances against their PGA Tour counterparts.
Asia's leading lights stacked up well as Thongchai, Pariya and Australian Andrew Dodt (68) outscored playing partners Kevin Streelman (69), Ryan Palmer (72) and Retief Goosen (69) respectively in the US$6 million event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and PGA Tour.
Pariya, who produced his career breakthrough at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters earlier this month, continued his rich vein of form by posting a flawless round with six birdies. He credited his hot iron play as he hit 16 greens in regulation.
"I hit 16 greens and you're not going to be far off hitting 16 greens. I put the ball in play and my irons were razor sharp. It went exactly where I wanted the ball to go,"said the 26-year-old.
Pariya, currently eighth on the Asian Tour's Order of Merit, remained modest despite bettering playing partner Palmer, who is ranked 57th in the world.
"He won a PGA Tour event this year and last week, he finished top-10. I set my goal this week for an experience and that's what I got. These guys are my idols and I'm not going to compete with them. I'll just play my golf and get my experience in,"said Pariya, a graduate from Purdue University and also a licensed pilot.
"If you look, there's not much difference out there. But they (PGA Tour players) grind it out and make birdies a bit differently from me. I'm still in a small league and they are in the big league. I wish I can step up soon,"he added.
Decorated Thai Thongchai, holder of a record three Order of Merit crowns, birdied the last two holes to stay in touch with the leader and hopes to continue his sparkling run.
"The game was good. I played according to plan and made some good putts, especially the last few holes where I holed out from 15 feet. I am comfortable on this course as I have always played well here,"said the former paratrooper, who is a two-time Malaysian Open champion.
Mardan sank two eagles in his last four holes to feature on the leaderboard. He drove the green on the short par four 15th hole and hit a three wood into the par five 17th hole and sank putts of 30 feet for his eagles.
"I got lucky and managed to come back (after two opening bogeys). I'm quite happy with how I finished and the way I played on the back nine. There's no reason for my score. I just played one hole at a time and tried my best to do well,"said the two-time Asian Tour winner.
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