Thai player sets the pace in Hong Kong
Thursday, 12 November 2009 11:09Thailand's Udorn Duangdecha stole the thunder from a quality field to lead the Hong Kong Open after a dazzling eight-under-par first round 62 on Thursday.
Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen finished the day one stroke behind, while defending champion Lin Wen-tang of Taiwan shot a 64 for a share of third at the co-sanctioned $2.5 million event.
European Tour Race to Dubai leader Lee Westwood carded a solid 66, a total was matched by Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, who is second in the money rankings.
Asia's first major winner Yang Yong-eun of South Korea and former British Open champion Mark O'Meara also fired four-under-par 66s.
Derksen won a gold bar for a hole-in-one in Hong Kong two years ago and he showed his liking for the Fanling course when he set the early pace after birdying five of the last six holes, his only blemish a three-putt at the 16th.
However, Asian Tour member Duangdecha stormed into the lead after recording 10 birdies, only missing a tie for the course record when he bogeyed the final hole.
Hong Kong debutant Westwood and McIlroy are battling for the $1.5 million bonus on offer for Europe's number one at the season-ending Dubai World Championship.
The Englishman leads McIlroy by around $80,000 after the 20-year-old climbed up to second in the European rankings with a fourth place at last week's WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai.
Joining McIlroy on four under is Peter Lawrie, while Graeme McDowell is a shot further back.
