In what is becoming a recurring theme at Asian Tour events in Chinese-Taipei, Thailand’s Suteepat Prateeptienchai once again climbed to the top of the leaderboard at the end of the opening round Thursday in the US$1 million Yeangder TPC.
The 32-year-old Suteepat is a four-time winner on the Asian Tour, with three of those on Chinese-Taipei soil. The tournament’s defending champion also came to the week high on confidence, having recently won the Mandiri Indonesia Open three weeks ago.
As was expected, Suteepat got off to a flying start, reaching four-under by his fourth hole with two birdies and an eagle, and was solid throughout despite treacherous scoring conditions as wind gusts reached 50kmph at Linkou International Golf & Country Club.
At six-under par 66, Suteepat is one ahead of the six-feet-nine-inches-tall American Charles Porter (67), who brightened up an emotional week for himself and his mother with a solid start. Porter’s father had passed away last year and would have turned 75 this week.
Philippines’ Miguel Tabuena, who played in the morning session, posted a round of 68 for solo third place.
Another in-form star, Kazuki Higa of Japan, winner of last week’s 41st Shinhan Donghae Open, was among those tied for fourth place at 69. Bunched alongside Higa were the Chinese- Taipei duo of Chen Yi-tong, whose round included two eagles, and Wang Wei-hsuan; Hong Kong’s Matthew Cheung, Germany’s Dominic Foos, and Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong and Witchayapat Sinsrang.
Local amateur Hsieh Cheng-wei, who holds the record of being the youngest player to make the cut in an Asian Tour event (14 years and 33 days) in the 2022 edition of the tournament, delighted the home fans with a 70 start.
Suteepat made just one bogey in the round – on the fifth hole – but added three more birdies before closing with a gutsy par when he chipped in from off the green on the par-5 18th hole for par after being in trouble with his third shot and leaving his chip short.
“I made an incredible start. Four-under after four. It was good, because the conditions are really tough and very different from last year. It was a case of hanging in there, making putts and hoping they would drop and not get angry,” said Suteepat, who made a 35-footer eagle putt on the fourth hole.
“I have never played conditions like this in Taiwan before. I think I have confidence because I have done well here in the past. I am just thinking about the shot that I am hitting. We have three days more before the championship is decided, so I am not thinking of that already.”
On his season so far and his aims for rest of the busy Asian Tour season coming up, Suteepat added: “I am pretty happy with the way I have played so far. My ambition now is to win an International Series event this year. That would be cool.”
Porter, who was in contention in the Mandiri Indonesia Open before a frustrating final day saw him slip to tied 14th place, was happy to have made just one bogey on a tough day.
“I got a lot going on this week,” said Porter, who lost his card on the Korn Ferry Tour last year. “Personally, my mom’s out here from San Francisco. It’s great to have her for more support. My dad would have turned 75 today. He passed away last year, so I kind of felt like he was out there with me,” said the American.
“It was really tricky, especially with the wind. It was blowing all over the place for the first 15 holes we played. I just stayed super patient. Told myself, if I make bogeys, it’s okay. Just try not to make anything worse than a bogey. And I somehow made some birdies and hit some good putts.”
Hsieh, 17, is playing only his fifth professional tournament, but showed once again that he can mix with the big boys. A bogey late in the round was his only blemish in a round that included three birdies.
Taking time out from his school studies this week, Hsieh said: “I was surprised to be the youngest player to make the cut on the Asian Tour a few years back. I thought it was a very good experience for me, but I never thought that was the only time I would make the cut here!
“I think I’ve become a better player now. With my current distances, I feel like I’m able to compete with the big boys. Last time, my technique wasn’t as good as the rest. I think I can compete out here. I just need to show it in the tournament.”
About Asian Tour
The Asian Tour represents the pinnacle of professional golf in the region.
Celebrated as the most vibrant, youthful and diverse golf tour in the world, it has built a reputation for intense competition on the course and warm camaraderie off it.
The Tour, which was launched in 2004, is responsible for looking after the best interests of over 350 members, representing 35 countries managing a year-long schedule of events across five continents.
With Asia being the next powerhouse region for golf, the Tour is the steward of its legacy.
Central to its structure is the Asian Tour Order of Merit – a points-based player ranking system.
Since 2022, The International Series has featured prominently. Consisting of 10 upper-tier events integrated into the schedule, the landmark initiative provides a pathway to the LIV Golf League via The International Series Rankings.
The Tour is the official sanctioning body for professional golf in the region and a member of the International Federation of PGA Tours. Also, it is an affiliate of The R&A and all sanctioned events qualify for Official World Golf Ranking points.
It controls its television production and distribution through Asian Tour Media (a joint venture with IMG) which broadcasts to over 100 countries worldwide.
The Tour also operates the Asian Development Tour – the popular feeder circuit that nurtures the next generation of stars.
Its eco-system also includes the Qualifying School which attracts over 650 entrants vying for 35 cards for the following season.
In 2018, it set up Asian Tour Destinations – an affiliate network with exclusive, world-class golfing venues across the region.
Rolex, Kweichow Moutai and Bluewater are the Tour’s three main partners.
The Tour is headquartered on Sentosa Island in Singapore, home to the award winning Sentosa Golf Club – a member of Asian Tour Destinations.
