Sadom Kaewkanjana leader, Julien Sale placed and Gary Stal behind

Julien Sale (photo) is four shots behind Thai Sadom Kaewkanjana, who made a very clean copy during the first round of the inaugural event of the Asian Tour. Gary Stal occupies one of the last places after a day to forget.

The Thai Sodom Kaewkanjana signed a card of 65 (-5) without any bogey on the course of Manila Southwoods G & CCand is one step ahead of the Australian Aaron Wilkin and his compatriots Danthai Boonma et Pavit Tangkamolprasert au Smart Infinity Philippine Open.

A complicated game for Gary Stal

The first round of the inaugural event of theAsian Tour was more laborious for Julien Sale and above all Gary Stallwho nevertheless approach this season full of uncertainties with enthusiasm after a difficult year on the Challenge Tour and Missed Cards in Europe.

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Julien Sale thus limited the damage in a wind which had strengthened (three birdies, two bogeys) for a final score of 69 (-1) which sends it to 18th place. This is not the case of Gary Stallwho conceded seven bogeys and a double bogey for a single birdie and a card of 78 (+8) on a long and complicated course, with water on 16 holes. Only two players scored worse than the former winner of theAbu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship 2015 (DP World Tour).

Far in the entry list forInternational Series India which will be played next week, they know they have to sign a top 5 to continue in India.

A young girl and a Koepka on the program

Note that Danthai Boonma played the first round of the inaugural event of theAsian Tour alongside the 17 year old Filipina amateur Rianne Malixi. The reigning champion of l’US Amateur in Girls and Ladies, who played by special invitation, started with a 75 (+5). “She is an incredible playerhe commented. The course is very long for a girl of her age, but she hit some great shots. »

Chase Koepka made his return to competition after an injury which kept him away from the fairways for 15 months following his relegation from LIFE Golf. The last tournament he played was the Team Championshipin October 2023, alongside his big brother – Brooks Koepka. He returned a card of 72 (+2).

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Photo: Aurélien Meunier / Getty / AFP