France’s Raphael Jacquelin shot a six-under-par 66 to take a one-stroke lead over Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen after the first round of the $2,3-million Asian Open on Thursday.
Eight-time European number one Colin Montgomerie finished three behind after a patient round of 69, while two-time US Open champions Ernie Els and Retief Goosen finished five off the pace with a pair of one-under 71s.
Jacquelin, runner-up at the Estoril Open in Portugal earlier in the month, exploited calmer conditions early at the par-72 Tomson Golf Club, notching up seven birdies during his rise up the leaderboard.
”The way I hit the ball and the way I made a few putts were pretty good. The winds were getting stronger later in the day and I’m happy to shoot a six-under today [Thursday],” Jacquelin said.
Having finished a disappointing sixth after leading the opening two rounds of the China Open last week, the in-form Frenchman will be eager to maintain his run at the co-sanctioned Asian and European tour event.
Second-placed Kjeldsen played sublimely in rising winds later in the day, holing six birdies to join Jacquelin on top after 14 holes, but disappointed with his only bogey at the last.
The Dane’s five-under 67 left him a stroke clear of France’s Gregory Havret, Australia’s Gavin Flint and South Korea’s Lee Sung-man Jacquelin at four-under.
Asian hopefuls
Lee made the strongest start of the Asian hopefuls, sinking five birdies to finish one ahead of a clutch of players tied for fourth on 69, which included countryman Park Jun-won, Taiwan’s Lin Wen-hong and Colin Montgomerie.
Montgomerie, looking to break his European tour victory drought that dates back to the 2005 Hong Kong Open, was pleased with his bogey-free round.
”Three birdies isn’t that much but it is very difficult out there,” the Scot said.
”I am in a good position where a good round tomorrow [Friday] will set me up for a half-decent weekend.”
South African duo Goosen and Els each endured tough periods, but steadied after dropped shots to remain in the hunt five strokes behind Jacquelin.
”The front nine I really struggled, didn’t hit any good shots. Bit disappointing but hopefully I can get a good round in,” Goosen said.
America’s John Daly will struggle to make the cut, however, after crashing to a seven-over 79, dropping five strokes in an opening nine punctuated by a double-bogey on the ninth.
China’s Liang Wenchong and Li Chao, who shared four bogies and four birdies on the way to even par 72s, currently fly the flag for a home-grown victory. — Reuters