Hong Kong (13 January, 2015) - Unheralded Chau answered an early double bogey with three birdies over the Gary Player-designed North Course to build a three-shot lead over defending champion Unho Park, who is among a group of four players in a share of second place.
“It was a tough day so I’m delighted with my score,” said 22-year-old Chau, who works as an instructor in Shenzhen. “I just tried to play as I normally do and not worry too much about the tournament.
“I actually missed four good birdie chances out there but I’m happy. If I can continue to focus on my game I can hopefully finish better than last year,” added Chau, who earned fifth spot in the event 12 months ago.
Park, who is aiming for a record fourth consecutive victory in the HK$450,000 event, got his title defense off to the perfect start with birdies at the opening two holes before dropping shots at the fourth and 10th. A double bogey at the 13th was partially offset by a birdie at 15, but a bogey at the closing hole, where he lost a ball off the tee, put a dampener on an otherwise sound performance by the Singapore-based Australian.
“I got off to a great start in appalling weather – it was really cold and the rain was coming down hard – but then I started making mistakes as the conditions improved,” said Park, who finished in 27th place on last year’s Asian Tour Order of Merit. “I wouldn’t say I’m happy with the way I’ve played but I’m OK with it. I’m not in a bad position and we’ll see how things go over the next two days.”
Alongside Park on two-over is the Hong Kong duo of James Wong Woon-man and Mickey Chan Chun-hong as well as 2010 champion CJ Gatto of the United States.
Dominique Boulet, in 2004, was the last local player to claim the championship, which started life in 1976, but Wong is feeling confident about his chances as the tournament heads to Fanling for the second round.
Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club will host Thursday’s all-important final round.
“I’ve been playing pretty solid recently and I felt like I held things together very well today,” said Wong, the 2010 HKPGA Order of Merit champion, who opened with consecutive bogeys before fighting back with two late birdies. “It’s still early in the tournament but I feel like I stand a good chance. I’m not far back and swinging well. I’m looking forward to the final two rounds.”
Reigning HKPGA Order of Merit champion Timothy Tang Tsz-hung found himself in a share of sixth place, a further shot adrift, after his 75 – a score replicated by last year’s runner-up, Asian Tour regular Scott Barr of Australia, and Tsai Tsung Yu of Chinese Taipei.