Thailand’s Suteepat Prateeptienchai signaled his intent early at the Jakarta International Championship, storming into the first-round clubhouse lead with a superb seven-under-par 63 at Damai Indah Golf PIK Course.
Fresh off two strong performances in Chinese-Taipei, including a joint seventh at the Yeangder TPC and equal fourth at last week’s Mercuries Taiwan Masters, the 32-year-old carried his confidence into Jakarta. He fired eight birdies against a lone bogey, admitting afterward: “Everything is perfect today. I made a lot of putts, the longest was about seven yards. After my win in August, I feel more relaxed and much more confident.”
That August victory at the Mandiri Indonesia Open marked his fourth Asian Tour title and first outside Chinese-Taipei adding weight to his chances this week. Suteepat, who finished joint sixth in last year’s Indonesia Open, also credited his caddie’s belief: “The fairways here are not too tight, but the greens are firm. If you’re off the fairway, it’s tough to control the spin.”
Australia’s Wade Ormsby, Chinese-Taipei’s Chang Wei-lun, and Mexico’s Roberto Lebrija sit one stroke back after carding 64s. Ormsby looked set to join the lead until a closing bogey on his final hole, while Lebrija who earned his Asian Tour card through Qualifying School continued his resurgence after a string of solid finishes in Indonesia.
A weather delay of one hour and 20 minutes in the morning forced 117 players to resume their first rounds early tomorrow, with Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert among those well-placed at six-under through 16 holes. Filipino star Miguel Tabuena also stayed within striking distance after a tidy 65.
As the week unfolds, Suteepat’s hot start sets the tone for what promises to be an exciting battle in Jakarta.
