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Melaka, Malaysia, June 9: Sattaya Supupramai fired a blistering nine-under-par 63 to take the first round lead in the US$50,000 Heritage Melaka Classic today, establishing a new course record at the Tiara Melaka Golf & Country Club.
 
The 25-year-old from Thailand produced an almost blemish-free round posting 10 birdies against one bogey in the Mercedes-Benz Tour event.
 
Two weeks ago he finished second in a local Thai PGA tournament and this week he is aiming for top spot.
 
“Tomorrow is another day and I will play the best that I can,” said the golfer, who is based at Palm Hills Golf Club in Hua Hin.  
 
He revealed that continuous practice and arduous gym work over the last two years has helped raise the standard of his game.
 
Three strokes behind in second place is countryman Pongthep Jaewchamnanchao (below right) who carded a 66.
 
The 35 year old, who posted seven birdies, would have had a flawlessly card if not for his sole bogey on the par-five 16th. 
 
“I momentarily lost focus on my game. My second shot landed in the bunker and I couldn’t make the green on my third shot. I got on in four and two putted for a bogey,” said the Thai.
 
Singapore’s rising star Quincy Quek posted seven birdies against two bogeys to lie in third spot on 67.
 
“I had a steady round all day and was quite happy with my play. The fairways are pretty narrow on the back nine so I was just hoping to get comfortable with my driver and play well. Tomorrow I will keep doing what I did today,” said the 22-year-old golfer who turned pro six weeks ago.
 
Thai star Thaworn Wiratchant had trouble with his driver but managed to salvage the day with an excellent short game posting six birdies against three bogeys to lie in joint seventh position.
 
“The back nine is playing tough but as long as you put the ball on the fairway, you’ll be fine,” said the 43 year old.
 
Leading first round scores (Par 72):
 
63 - Sattaya Supupramai (THA) 
66 - Pongthep Jaewchamnanchao (THA) 
67 - Quincy Quek (SIN)
68 - Airil Rizman (MAS), Antonio Lascuna (PHI), S. Murthy (MAS)
69 - Thaworn Wiratchant (THA), Huynh Van Son (VNM), M. Sasidaran (MAS), Ferdie Aunzo (PHI),  Shaaban Hussein (MAS),  Lam Chih Bing (SIN)
70 - Juvic Pagunsan (PHL), Unho Park (AUS)
71 - Mars Pucay (PHI),  Chaiput Darapanich (THA), Alwi Ismail Sham Kamaruddin (MAS), Kavipong Meanpetch (THA), Sukree Othman (MAS), S Siva Chandran (MAS),  Pijit Petchkasem (THA), Mardan Mamat (SIN)
 
Courtesy of the Mercedes Benz Tour, mercedes-benztour.com.

From Golf Digest Singapore July 09 issue