Lionel Weber fired a sizzling six-under 66 to set the early pace in the weather-hit Mountain Creek Open by Golf Citizen Monday.
The Frenchman, who is a brand ambassador of Thailand’s Banyan Golf Club and a regular on the Asian Tour, rattled up seven birdies against a lone bogey on the par-5 13th, to move two clear of Switzerland’s Dubai-based amateur Michael Harradine, South Africa’s Tyler Hogarty and England’s Jamie Elson.
England’s Luke Joy, a multiple winner on the MENA Tour, was six-under through 16 holes, but a bogey on the 17th and double on the 18th left him at three-under and in solo fifth, one ahead of three-man group which included Czech Republic’s Cyril Suk, Pattaraphol Khanthacha of Thailand and Blake Snyder of the United States.
On day when an afternoon thunderstorm forced suspension of play for 70 minutes, 16 players broke par at the Seve Ballesteros-designed course. Just two players were still out on the course when play was called off for the day.
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond, who won last week’s MahaSamutr Masters — the opening event on MENA Tour’s Thailand swing — reeled off three birdies in his last four holes en route to a 71 that left him sharing ninth in an eight-man group which included amateur Rayhan Thomas.
Harradine, who leads the amateur division by three shots, made five birdies and a bogey while Hogarty’s opening round consisted of six birdies and a double bogey as Elson overcame a double bogey to stay in contention.
“I had an early start, but it was pretty hot out there. I had an up-and-down front nine. Doubled the first and then birdied the next four holes which was good,” said Elson, who made the turn at three-under.
“My back nine was fairly steady. It’s just one of the courses that demands accuracy off the tee. If you are off line, you are going to lose the ball. Overall, I am very happy with my day’s work.”
South Africa’s Hogarty, who won the season-ending MENA Tour Championship last year, also sounded pleased with his opening round.
“I had a fairly good front nine as I kept the ball in play. This course is of medium length, but you have to hit it straight as it is pretty tight,” he said.
“Back nines are shorter and I played really them well. I have never been to Asia before and I am really enjoying the Thailand swing — and even losing a bit of weight in this heat.”
