Thailand’s rising amateur Kritchanya Kaopattanaskul sank her career first hole-in-one en route to a commanding lead following the first round of the Maybank Championship Asean Qualifier on Tuesday (Aug 12).
The 17-year-old Thai national team member produced the magical ace on the 147-yard par-three fourth hole at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club’s West Course, which saw her post a stellar first round of five-under-par 67.
She leads by five shots from Malaysia’s Zulaikah Nasser and another Thai amateur, Achiraya Sriwong, who shot matching 72s.
Four players – Genevieve Ling and Aretha Pan, both from Malaysia, Thai amateur Namo Luangnitikul and Thai professional Chakansim Khamborn – are tied for fourth place on one-over-par 73.
After two rounds, the top-five players will earn exemptions into the US$3 million Maybank Championship, the region’s premier LPGA Tour event, from Oct 30 to Nov 2.
Meanwhile, Kritchanya was very pleased with her efforts on the first day and hope to nail a place in the Maybank Championship.
“I'm very happy with this result. My approach shots and putting were good. On the par-threes, I was able to get it close to the pin and made the putts for birdies. And today, I also got my first hole-in-one ever! It was about 137 yards, and I used a 9-iron.
"I was a bit shocked as it was quite a blind shot, so I didn't know where my ball went. I was looking for the ball and then my caddie’s friend told me, it's in the hole. And that was an amazing feeling," Kritchanya said.
“I'm excited about the chance to play in the Maybank Championship, but I will keep myself calm and stick to my plan. I've played in professional events in Thailand before, but this will be my first time in an LPGA event, if I make it."
Meanwhile, an excited Zulaikah is also hoping to carry her form to the second day of the qualifying tournament.
"I feel pretty good about my round, although it was very up and down. I think I did well through the first eight holes, and then on nine and 10, I bogeyed both holes," Said Zulaikah.
"However, I bounced right back and finished with a birdie. I am hopeful for another good day tomorrow. "I feel like if I keep doing the same things and keep my mind present, hopefully I will make it."
“Today was about hitting the greens because the course is pretty long for me. So it was about making greens, taking two-putts, and walking off with a par, which is good. If I made a birdie, that's a bonus. But even if I had to fight my way through to make a bogey, it's okay, I could recover somewhere else.”
The other Thai, Achiraya Sriwong, who shares the second spot with Zulaikah on 72, said she aims to maintain her form and make the cut for the main tournament.
“I made some easy mistakes, and it could have been better. My short game wasn’t good, but it’s okay. Course wasn’t overly difficult, but my chipping didn’t work," said Acbiraya.
"Everything else was okay. Made three birdies, which were from short birdie putts. I hit some good iron shots, but I will have to work on my chipping tomorrow. There are so many good players out there, so I’m just going to keep giving my best."
Leading scores
67: Kritchanya Kaopattanaskul (Tha) amateur;
72: Zulaikah Nasser (Mas), Achiraya Sriwong (Tha) amateur;
73: Genevieve Ling (Mas), Aretha Pan (Mas), Namo Luangnitikul (Tha) amateur, Chakansim Khamborn (Tha)l
74: Tatiana Wijaya (Ina), Thitapa Pakdeesettakul (Tha), Onkanok Soisuwan (Tha), Kan Bunnabodee (Tha).
