PALEMBANG, October 13, 2011 (AFP) - Thailand's Somsak Khaoprathum made four birdies in a row to lead a tournament for the first time in his fledgling career, ending the opening day of the Palembang Musi Championship on six-under-par 66.
The 24-year-old from Bangkok reached the turn in one under before embarking on a five-under-par back nine -- including four back-to-back birdies from the 14th which put him at the head of the field at Indonesia's Palembang Golf Club.
Ilyassak, the elder statesman of Indonesian golf, carded a 68 to tie for second place with Thailand's Tanutchan Puaktes. Malaysia's Nicholas Fung and Anthony Fernando from the Philippines were a stroke further behind.
"It is my best round as a professional. I felt very relaxed and holed a lot of putts from about 20 feet. I wasn't thinking about my score too much and so when I finished it was only then I realized that I was leading," said Khaoprathum, who turned professional in 2008.
In contrast to the young Thai leader, Ilyassak has over two decades of experience of playing in tournaments around the region.
"This is an old style golf course which I am very used to playing. It gives me a bit of an advantage although it will be difficult to keep this going against all these young players," he said.
Leading first round scores (Indonesian unless stated):
66 - Somsak Khaoprathum (THA)
68 - Ilyassak, Tanutchan Puaktes (THA)
69 - Anthony Fernando (PHI), Nicholas Fung (MAS)
70 - Nasin Surachman, Ekalak Waisayakul (THA), A. Abrahamsyah
71 - Wisut Artjanwat (THA)
72 - Andik Mauludin, Maman Suherman, Marvin Dumandan (PHI), Khor Kheng Hwai (MAS), Pavit Tangkamloprasert (THA), Rinaldi Adiandono, Alan Chin (MAS), I Irmansyah, Ade Sebul, Johannes Dermawan, Choo Tze Huang (SIN), Kasiadi, Aminuddin Ali, Jamel Ondo, Supravee Phatam (THA)