HONG KONG, January 15 – Cool and blustery conditions, combined with fast running greens, kept low scoring to a minimum, but the Asian Tour stalwart used his experience to plot his way round the Old Course at the Hong Kong Golf Club. Missing only three greens all day, Bain's round was highlighted by an eagle at the par-5 14th hole.
“I came here with fairly low expectations," said Bain. "I haven’t played very much golf lately but I hit the ball pretty straight off the tee which is important around this course. The par 5’s are short so I took advantage of them by hitting some decent iron shots. It’s a good start and I guess I have given myself a chance.”
Defending champion Unho Park enjoyed a solid start with a two-under 69. The Singapore-based Australian doubled bogeyed the fourth hole but then recovered with four birdies in a five hole stretch to make the turn in 33. Nine straight pars on the back nine meant he finished day one just three strokes off Bain's lead.
“I got off to a rough start but recovered nicely," said Park. "I played scratchy golf on the back nine and actually made some nice up and downs, so overall I am fairly pleased with the day.”
Hong Kong’s leading amateur Shinichi Mizuno shot a fine 69 in the company of Park and 1990 US PGA Championship winner Wayne Grady, who struggled to a 79. Mizuno, a member at Discovery Bay Golf Club, said he enjoyed the pairing and was delighted with his result.
“This is my last event before I play in the Hong Kong Close Amateur Championship [which takes place over the Chinese New Year holiday] and then I am off to university in Kyoto on a golf scholarship," said Mizuno, who fired three birdies in his last five holes.
Lam Chih Bing from Singapore joined Park and Mizuno in a share of second with his own 69.
Tournament favourite and Asian Tour regular Scott Barr shot a one-under 70 to occupy fifth spot on his own.
“ I have had a pretty long lay-off and I am certainly very rusty at the moment," admitted Barr. "I really didn’t play very well at all and I will have to play a bit better to catch Ross. However, there are two days left and I will go and work on my game a bit now.”
The local professional challenge is led by last year’s HKPGA Order of Merit winner Timothy Tang and James Stewart, who both shot level-par rounds of 71.
Players will tackle the New Course at Fanling for the second round of the 54-hole tournament before heading to the Gary Player-designed North Course at The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau for Thursday's final day.
