Jaidee, Kim share early lead at Volvo China Open
South Korea's Do-Hoon Kim joined Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee (pictured, left) at the top of the leaderboard at the Volvo China Open earlier today, the pair tied on eight-under-par after the first 18 holes.
Jaidee had to pull out of last week's Masters after suffering an elbow injury at Augusta, but the Thai No. 1 appeared to be back to his best at the Suzhou Jinji Lake course, despite gusty conditions. The 40-year-old hit six birdies as well as a chipped-in eagle from 20 feet on the 14th to record that impressive opener.
Jaidee was soon joined at the top of the leaderboard by the 21-year-old Kim however, the Korean carding eight birdies and, yes, an eagle on the 14th (as well as couple of bogeys which kept the pair level).
"I played very solid after a week off last week. I had a good game plan," said Jaidee. "I was unable to practice on the course before, I only played two holes in the pro-am because the weather was terrible.
"But I hit a lot of fairways and a lot of greens and I made a lot of putts. Over the next few days, if my health stays okay as my arm is getting better and better every day, I hope to get better and better."
Kim was also understandably pleased with his score, commenting: "I played very well. It was my third 64 in three weeks. Tomorrow I hope to play well again."
Spain's Pablo Larrazabal and Wales' Jamie Donaldson were the best performing European players, each coming home six-under to tie for third place along with China's Wen-Chong Liang. This year's US Ryder Cup team captain Corey Pavin had a good round too, tying for sixth place, five-under.
Pavin's European counterpart Colin Montgomerie was playing alongside the American, but the Scot failed to match his rival's game, finishing on level par to tie for 50th place, despite six birdies - unfortunately, Monty also hit an assortment of bogeys and double bogeys.
Back among the leaders, Ireland's Peter Lawrie shared sixth place with Pavin, while Sweden's Henrik Stenson, at No. 16 in the world the highest-ranked player here, was tied for 10th place along with last year's PGA Championship winner, Korea's YE Yang. Oliver Wilson and Graeme Storm were the highest placed Englishmen, each tied for 14th place on three-under, and Welshman Stephen Dodd joined them on the same score.
Last year's winner, Scott Strange, looks unlikely to repeat that victory again this year. Strange carded a first-round score of four-over-76, leaving the Australian tied for 125th place.
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