PHNOM PENH, March 14, 2012 (AFP) - Korea's Baek Seuk-hyun set a new course record of six-under-par 66 to open up a one-shot lead after the opening round of the inaugural $300,000 Handa Faldo Cambodian Classic on Wednesday.
The talented 21-year-old produced matching halves of 33s in the Asian Tour event at the Angkor Golf Resort, while Ireland's Niall Turner overcame a double bogey to card a fine 67.
Thailand's 16-year-old newcomer Rattanon Wannasrichan showed he was a rising star with a bogey-free 68.
He was joined by countrymen Chawalit Plaphol and Atthaphon Prathummanee, Filipino Elmer Salvador, Australian Paul Donahoo, Korea's Kim Hyung-sung and American Berry Henson.
After finishing 51st on the Order of Merit last season, the burly Baek, who is seeking his first Asian Tour victory, overhauled his golf swing after ending 2011 ranked a lowly 92nd with 54 percent of fairways hit.
"It was quite windy and I was just playing fairways and greens, fairways and greens. Suddenly, my putting was good and my irons just went to the pins. I missed some putts but I'm happy with my score," said Baek
"The confidence is coming back and I just went for it in every shot," Baek added, who recorded long birdie conversion from off the green on the 18th and first holes.
Thai teenager Rattanon, who turned professional in January after winning the team and individual gold medals at the Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia, underlined his potential with four birdies on the card.
"I want to try to become the youngest Asian Tour winner," he declared. "Chinnarat (Phadungsil) won on the Asian Tour when he was 17 years and five days old, so I've got less than a year to try to do it."
Leading first-round scores from the $300,000 Handa Faldo Cambodian Classic at the par-72 Angkor Golf Resort on Wednesday.
66 - BAEK Seuk-hyun (KOR)
67 - Niall TURNER (IRL)
68 - Rattanon WANNASRICHAN (THA), KIM Hyung-sung (KOR), Elmer SALVADOR (PHI), Chawalit PLAPHOL (THA), Paul DONAHOO (AUS), Atthaphon PRATHUMMANEE (THA), Berry HENSON (USA)
69 - Hamza AMIN (AUT), Ajeetesh SANDHU (IND), Ben LEONG (MAS), S. Siva CHANDHRAN (MAS), Shaaban HUSSIN (MAS), KIM Gi-whan (KOR), Namchok TANTIPOKHAKUL (THA), HONG Soon-sang (KOR), Chinnarat PHADUNGSIL (THA), Jonathan MOORE (USA)
70 - Sattaya SUPUPRAMAI (THA), Gavin FLINT (AUS), Jhonnel ABABA (PHI), Dodge KEMMER (USA), SIDDIKUR (BAN), Prom MEESAWAT (THA), Marcus BOTH (AUS), Sam CYR (USA), Guy WOODMAN (ENG), Zaw MOE (MYN), Pawin INGKHAPRADIT (THA), PARK Hyun-bin (KOR)