Davies grabs lead at Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open

text size

Vatsyayana/AFP/Getty Images

Rhys Davis of Wales is again this week hoping to earn his first Asian Tour win.

SIEM REAP, Cambodia -- Rhys Davies of Wales carded an opening 8-under 64 to take the first-round lead at the $300,000 Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open and promised to put up a stronger challenge to make amends for last week's heartbreak.

Two-time Asian Tour winner Anthony Kang of the United States is one shot back at 65, while Indonesia's Rory Hidayat posted a 66 to take third place. Thailand's Chawalit Plaphol, who had earlier taken the morning lead, is in fourth place at 67.

Fellow compatriot Thongchai Jaidee and Thaworn Wiratchant together with Australia's Gavin Flint, Malaysia's Airil Rizman and Korea's Park Jae-bum are bunched together in fifth on matching 68s.

Davies came agonizingly close to his maiden win on the Asian Tour last week when he lost in a playoff to Jaidee at the Hana Bank Vietnam Masters.

But with the strong start he made today, where he recorded nine birdies against a single bogey, the Welsh rookie is hoping it will be his turn to be rewarded this week.

"I played really well today. I just went out there, got very focused, hit a lot of good shots and was rewarded with a low score today," said Davies.

"Last week was a great week too, but I can't dwell over one little shot, which I couldn't control and missed in the playoff. It's a new week, great start and I hope it continues," added Davies.

Meanwhile, Kang who is seeking to end his Asian Tour title drought since 2001, also impressed by firing eight birdies against a lone bogey to finish closely behind Davies at the Phokeethra Country Club.

"I'm really happy with my iron shots, my distance control and I hope it continues for the next three days. I have two more events left for the year, and I hope to end it well," said Kang.

Plaphol also bolstered his chances of winning his third Asian Tour title after grabbing the early-morning lead.

Chawalit got off to a strong start on his opening back-nine when he rattled in five birdies before making the turn in 4 under.

The 34-year-old Thai continued to maintain his good form with two more birdies on the second and fourth holes after the turn before dropping a shot on the sixth for a lone bogey.

"I'm quite pleased with how I've played today. If there's any aspect of my game which I can credit to, it'll be my putting and tee shots," said Chawalit.

"My strategy and game plan for tomorrow is the same as today, which is to go out there, hit the fairways and attack the pins," added Chawalit.

Defending champion Bryan Saltus of the United States began his defense with a 72 to end the day tied for 43rd.

The Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open makes its return to the Phokeethra Country Club from Dec. 11-14, with the promise of further charting the growth and development of golf in Cambodia.

The event is also the only international golf tournament to be held in the Kingdom of Cambodia and is part of the burgeoning 2009 Asian Tour schedule, where there will be a minimum of 30 tournaments with over $39 million in total prize money.