Malaysia and Thailand lived up to their top billing by firing matching 11 under par 61s in the fourball format to share the first round lead in the Fortis International Challenge, the Asian qualifying event for the Omega Mission Hills World Cup.
The Malaysian pair of Iain Steel and Airil Rizman combined effectively for the host nation at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club, shooting 11 birdies for an unblemished card. Thai duo Thongchai Jaidee, contributing eight birdies, and Prayad Marksaeng were equally spectacular by matching the Malaysians with a bogey free round.
Holland’s Maarten Lafeber and Robert-Jan Derksen overcame a sluggish start to post a 64 for third place while Korea’s Lee Sung and Lee Seung-ho, Gerald Rosales and Tony Lascuna of the Philippines and Chinese Taipei duo Lin Wen-tang and Lin Wen-hong carded matching 65s to share fourth place.
The top five finishers will earn a place in the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China from November 22-25. A further five teams will be determined at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup Aruba Qualifier taking place at the Tierra del Sol Golf Club in Aruba, Dutch Caribbean. The ten qualifying nations will then join the 18 exempt nations competing for the US$1,650,000 first prize from a total prize fund of US$5,000,000 as a new and exciting era in the history of the event first played in 1953 as the Canada Cup gets underway.
Steel, bidding for a first World Cup appearance in his third attempt at qualifying, was delighted with their start. “It was good teamwork all round. We were always in control of our game and were not under much pressure to make a bogey,” said Steel, who contributed six birdies.
With 13 wins between them on the Asian Tour, Thongchai and Prayad launched their campaign with a sparkling display of ball striking. While Thongchai rattled in eight birdies, the two-time Asian Number One said teammate Prayad also played a big role.
“We had a good partnership going. We played well together and did quite a few things. If one guy missed a shot, the other player will hit it perfect.We missed a few shots but we’re certainly happy with this star,” said Thongchai, who is bidding for a first appearance in the World Cup.
The Dutch pairing of Derksen and Lafeber struggled on the Kota Permai greens for an outward 34 before romping home in 30 to put themselves in position for a fourth World Cup appearance together.
The Fortis International Challenge will use the fourball (better ball) format in the first and third rounds and foursomes (alternate shot) in the second and final rounds.
Round 1 Results (Fourball)
61– Malaysia (Airil Rizman, Iain Steel), Thailand (Thongchai Jaidee, Prayad Marksaeng)
64– Holland (Robert-Jan Derksen, Maarten Lafeber)
65– Korea (Lee Seung-Ho, Lee Sung), Chinese Taipei (Lin Wen-tang, Lin Wen-hong), Philippines (Tony Lascuna, Gerald Rosales)
66- New Zealand (Richard Lee, Stephen Scahill), Singapore (Mardan Mamat, Lam Chih Bing), Pakistan (Matloob Ahmed, Muhammad Munir), Hong Kong (James Stewart, Wong Woon Man)
67-Switzerland,(Martin Rominger, Robert Wiederkehr),
68-Slovenia,(Janez Grilc, Andrej Kraljic), Russia,(Igor Korchak, Victor Ostankov), Myanmar,(Zaw Moe, Soe Kyaw Naing)
69– Mauritius (Billy Narraina, Vishnoo Seeneevassen)
70– Ghana (Emos Korblah, Victor Brave Mensah)
71– Uganda (Deo Akope, Godfrey Mande)
