Selangor Masters debuts with Phadungsil in lead

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PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA -- Thai teen phenom Chinnarat Phadungsil established a new course record of seven-under-par 64 to lead the first round of the Worldwide Selangor Masters on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old, already a two-time winner on the Asian Tour, wielded a new putter like a magic wand as he took only 25 putts to open up a two-shot lead from Australian Adam Blyth at Seri Selangor Golf Club.

Japan's Taichiro Kiyota, Fijian Dinesh Chand, who had two eagles, and Singaporean veteran M. Murugiah are three off the lead while a flu-stricken Danny Chia and Iain Steel carried the local challenge with matching 68s in the $310,000 event, which is making its debut on the Asian Tour.

The power-packed Chinnarat was flawless on the putting surface as he drained putt after putt for his blistering start, which bettered the previous course mark by one shot.

"I had some luck with me as I didn't hit it too well but made putts from everywhere. I was holing out 10 footers for birdies," Chinnarat said. "My putting hasn't been great this year and I changed to a new putter this week after getting it fitted at the Scotty Cameron studio in California last month."

Chinnarat, who has two top-10s this season, surprised even himself with his scorching start as he felt the par-71 Seri Selangor course, Malaysia's first public golf club, was demanding with its narrow layout, firm fairways and tricky greens. He sank eight birdies against a lone bogey.

"When I first saw the course, I thought that one under would be a good round. If you miss it left or right, you can easily run up a big number. If I shoot one or two under tomorrow, I'll take it," he said.

Blyth, who played in his first major at the British Open last month, is a man in form after winning a pro-am tournament in Australia by a whopping 15 shots at the weekend following an impressive 28-under-par total.

Two eagles kept him in touch with Chinnarat, although Blyth lamented a bogey on his 16th hole of the day at the seventh which was his first dropped shot in 80 holes from two events. "It was a good start. I felt pretty average after just flying in only yesterday. But I guess from playing well last week, it just kept flowing," said Blyth.

The tall Aussie eagled the 13th after converting an 18-foot putt and rolled in a six-footer at the fifth for his second eagle of the round.

"There are opportunities out there as long as you hit it straight. My confidence is at a different level. I'm just staying with the process and hitting every shot the best that I can," said Blyth, who is playing in his fourth season in Asia and bidding for a first title.

The slightly-built Kiyota, ninth on the Order of Merit, put himself in position with three birdies and one eagle against a lone bogey. He pencilled down a three at the 518-yard par five fifth, needing only a wedge for his second shot which set him up for a four foot eagle putt.

"I putted nicely, but it's such a difficult golf course," Kiyota said. "The fairway on 10th is the narrowest I've seen and you just have to concentrate really well and take it one shot at a time."

The surprise of the day was delivered by 44-year-old Murugiah, who spends most of his time now as a teaching professional in Singapore and helming the local PGA as its new president. Playing on a sponsor's invitation, the veteran snared seven birdies.