Taiwan Golf and Country Club in Tamsui, Taipei County, proved as difficult a prospect as ever with only 18 players managing to break par during the first round of the Mercuries Taiwan Masters yesterday.
Udorn Duangdecha of Thailand made an eagle and five birdies on his way to a round of 65, leaving him on top of the leaerboard after the first day. Taiwan’s Chan Yih-shin (詹益信) was in second place after shooting 67, while Lu Chien-soon (盧建順) and Tsai Chi-huang (蔡啟煌) were tied for fourth after rounds of 69.
Although conditions were overcast it did not rain and all the competitors successfully completed the full 18 holes. Those who teed off earlier made lower scores with Duangdecha making birdies at the fifth and sixth and then an eagle at the seventh after holing a six-foot putt. He then made another three birdies on the back nine to give him the day’s best score.
PHOTO: CHANG CHIA-MING, TAIPEI TIMES
Defending champion, Lu Wen-teh (呂文德) of Taiwan bogeyed the fifteenth after he sliced his three iron and hit a tree. Lu later said that he should have been more conservative and have laid up with a four or five iron. Lu finished the day on 71, tied for tenth.
Despite being six strokes back, Lu said he would remain relaxed and focus on making steady progress over the next three days.
Chan said he just missed out on five birdie chances and that his score could have been much better. However, Chan said that he was still happy because it was the first time he had broken 70 at the event.
Tsai, who grew up playing at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club improved as his round progressed, making an eagle and five birdies after two initial bogeys.
Taiwan’s Lin Wen-tang (林文堂) had a tough time gauging the speed of the greens and was tied for tenth after scoring a 71.
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