SINGAPORE, September 8, 2011 (AFP) - Yosuke Tsukada grabbed the first-round clubhouse lead with a five-under-par 65 at a blustery and storm-hit ISPS Handa Singapore Classic on Thursday in only his second Asian Tour event.
The 26-year-old Japanese mixed seven birdies against two bogeys to take a single-shot lead over Malaysia's Danny Chia, Daisuke Kataoka, also from Japan, and Thai veteran Thaworn Wiratchant, who all returned with matching 66s.
"I just enjoy playing golf and making friends here on the Asian Tour," Tsukada said after his impressive round at Orchid Country Club.
"It's a tough course but just being able to go out there and enjoy myself on the golf course has helped to keep me at the top of my game today."
Taiwan's Wang Ter-chang rolled back the years with a 67 to take a share of fifth place with six other players including Myanmar's Nay Bala Win Myint and South Africa's Jbe Kruger at the US$300,000 full-field event.
Six players will have to return at 8:00am Friday to finish their first round after lightning forced a 75-minute suspension in the afternoon.
Tsukada started strongly with an opening birdie on the par-four 10th hole. He bogeyed the 15th hole but made a quick recovery with two more birdies on the 16th and 17th holes.
After reaching the turn in 32, the Japanese cruised home in his inward nine with four more birdies on holes one, two, six and nine but not before picking up another bogey on the fifth hole.
Thaworn continued to show why he is one of Asia's best when he kept up his charge for his 13th title. But he acknowledged that the revamped Orchid course has made his title bid tougher.
"There are many tough holes this week. Fourteen and 18 are also really difficult. Eighteen was against the wind and I think that's the most difficult hole that I've played in my life," said the 44-year-old.
"I always aim to win at every event that I play in. But I can't expect to win as there are many things to think about, the course conditions and how I feel. Also, it would also depend on the course if it fits me," added Thaworn.
Leading first-round scores at the $300,000 ISPS Handa Singapore Classic on Thursday. Six players will return Friday to finish their first round after lightning forced a suspension in the afternoon.
65 - Yosuke Tsukada (JPN)
66 - Danny Chia (MAS), Thaworn Wiratchant (THA), Daisuke Kataoka (JPN)
67 - Andy Choi (KOR), Corey Harris (USA), Berry Henson (USA), Bala Win Myint Nay (MYN), Wang Ter-chang (TPE), Jbe Kruger (RSA), Prom Meesawat (THA)
68 - Jonathan Moore (USA), Miles Tunnicliff (ENG), Juvic Pagunsan (PHI), Pijit Petchkasem (THA), Michael Bibat (PHI), Himmat Rai (IND), Tim Stewart (AUS), Kalle Samooja (FIN), Elmer Salvador (PHI)