PETALING JAYA: Gavin Kyle Green is not to dwell on the past. And that probably helped him get off to a blistering start in the RM200,000 PGM Northport Glenmarie Championship.
The 22-year-old, who blew a five-stroke lead on the final day of the same event last year, fired a splendid seven-under 65 at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club on Wednesday.
But he still found himself trailing leader S. Chikkarangappa of India by a stroke in the first round.
Gavin had an eagle and six birdies, but a bogey on the fifth denied him a share of the lead with Chikkarangappa.
The Indian, also 22, displayed the same form that earned him a joint-fourth finish in the Asian Tour’s Bangladesh Open a fortnight ago. He rolled in six birdies and an eagle to seize top spot.
“I have some good memories of this course ... although I didn’t finish well last year,” said Gavin, who’s seeking to bounce back after failing to make the cut at the Maybank Championship Malaysia.
“What happened last year did not affect me at all. I just learned from it and then forget about it.
“This course suits my game and I managed to keep the ball in play today. I was able to take advantage of the par-fives as well.
“My wedge shots were good too as I was able to hit them close to give myself some birdie chances,” added Green, who chipped in for eagle on the par-five sixth from 20 feet in the right rough.
Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert, the 2014 Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit winner, opened with a 66 to be third while Mohd Iylia Jamil, the second best local performer, signed for a matching 67 to be tied for fourth with Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai and Americans John Jackson and Lexus Keoninh.
Defending champion Blake Snyder of the United States opened with a dismal 75 to be in joint 93rd spot.
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