In yet another MENA Tour historic first Frenchman Lionel Weber fired a solid five-under 67 to grab a share of the lead as rising teen star Victoria “Vicky” Tip-Aucha, and the first woman to compete on the Tour, finished six shots off the pace after the opening round of the MENA Tour’s MahaSamutr Masters at Banyan Golf Club in Hua Hin, Thailand.
France’s Weber, who is a Banyan Golf Club ambassador, reeled off seven birdies against two bogeys to join Thai ace Varanyu Rattanaphaibulkij and England’s Zane Scotland atop a crowded leader board.
Lee Corfield, a four-time winner on the MENA Tour, overcame an early bogey on the first to card a 68 that left him in a three-man group tied for fourth along with fellow Englishman Jordan Garnish and Suradit Yongcharoenchai of Thailand.
Frenchman Lionel Weber leads the way on the first day of the MENA Tour’s MahaSamutr Masters at Banyan Golf Club in Hua Hin, Thailand.
Sponsored by MahaSamutr Country Club Hua Hin and supported by Singha Water, the tournament saw 15-year- old US prodigy Victoria, of Thai heritage, make history, becoming the first woman to tee it up in a MENA Tour event.
She made the turn at level par after making a birdie on the opening hole, but two double bogeys, one each at 10th and 12th, dropped her back. Unruffled by the mid-round wobble, she picked up three shots in her last five holes, the late flourish putting a smile on her face.
“I started off well, but got to the point where I was four-over. I think I did well to bring it back to one over, which was good,” said Victoria, who has already won five times on the Thailand girls golf circuit this year.
Weber felt local knowledge came in handy as he seized the early initiative.
Victoria Tip-Aucha creates MENA Tour history becoming the first female to contest a MENA Tour event.
“Being a Banyan Golf Club ambassador, I have played this course many times. It’s always a pleasure to play on this great track,” he said.
“I just did not putt very well, but still made some birdies out there which was quite pleasing.
Thailand’s Rattanaphaibulkij mixed six birdies with a bogey while Scotland, a 10-time winner on the MENA Tour, went bogey free on a day when 29 players, including 10 from Thailand, broke par.
Perennial contender Corfield also sounded pleased with his day’s work. “Just played solid golf. The course is in fantastic condition, though greens are running a bit fast,” said the 35-year- old Englishman.
“Thailand is a great destination for golf, especially Hua Hin. Lots of sun, great courses and good food. You can’t ask for more,” said the Englishman who mixed five birdies with a lone bogey.
Dubai-based Indian amateur Rayhan Thomas, who is supported by the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation, returned a 70 to lead the amateur division on two-under, one ahead of the Thai trio of Runchanapong Youprayong, Worathon Zeng and 14-year- old Phichaksn Maichon, who recently won the 13-14 division at the 2016 Junior World championships in the United States.
Elsewhere, Craig Hinton, the winner of the MENA Tour’s Order of Merit title last year, carded a level-par 72 while experienced Andrew Marshall settled for a 73 as English cricketer-turned- golfer Craig returned a 78 after making the turn at level par.
UAE’s Ahmed Al Musharrekh endured a difficult opening round, signing for an 81 that left him a mountain to climb to make the cut.
