Thaworn Wiratchant recovers well on day one of the World Golf Championships – HSBC Champions
Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand carded an equal-par 72 in the opening round of the World Golf Championships – HSBC Champions, and finished tied for the 34th position on the leaderboard, on Thursday, November 1, 2012.
The US$7 million tournament is being played at the Mission Hills Golf Club, and is the only WGC of the season that is held outside the United States.
Wiratchant is enjoying a great form on the Asian Tour this season. He is currently leading the Asian Tour Order of Merit with $547,031 prize money.
Earlier this year, he won the Queen's Cup, Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters and the Hero Indian Open, to become the highest winner on the tour with 15 victories.
This week, he wishes to add another Asian Tour title to his resume, which will also mark his debut victory on the PGA Tour, as the event is co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour, Asian Tour and the European Tour.
The Thai star started off his round on the back nine of the course and bogeyed the 13th and the 14th hole, prior to adding a shot on the 15th hole.
On the 18th hole, his second shot found the water hazard guarding the green. As a result, he finished the hole in six shots, a double bogey.
Entering the front nine of the Olazabal Course, he was three-over for the round. He then picked up some pace and recorded three birdies without conceding a single bogey.
At the end of the day, he found himself settled seven strokes behind the leader, Adam Scott and Louis Oosthuizen.
“I played okay but the putting wasn’t good,” he said. “Played good on front nine. One three putt and missed a short putt. On 18, my second shot was short into the water. Just didn’t have feel on the greens”.
He added, “Five under, those guys are long hitters. They can get to the par fives easily and par fours are not long. I’m targeting a few under everything”.
He concluded, “Swing feels okay. I don’t feel tired. I’m quite relaxed. I haven’t practiced or hit too many balls this week”.
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