Jin Bo Sets Blistering Opening-Day Pace at Amata Spring

Chonburi, Thailand: China’s Jin Bo fired a blistering seven-under-par 65 to surge into the opening-day lead in the 13th Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC).

On a day of low scoring at Amata Spring Country Club, home favourite Ratchanon ‘TK’ Chantananuwat posted a bogey-free 67 to share second spot alongside Singaporean James Leow and Japan’s Ryuta Suzuki.

With preferred lies in use after heavy overnight rain, no fewer than 40 players from the 120-strong field bettered par in the event that rewards the winner with starting spots in the 2023 Masters Tournament and 151st Open Championship.

Oklahoma State University standout Jin has plenty of incentive to win this week after a close call last year in Dubai when he was the 36-hole leader but finished in a tie for third.

He is also trying to emulate the feat of his brother, Jin Cheng, who was victorious in 2015 when the event was reduced to 54 holes in Hong Kong.

“I’ve got to be happy with that,” said Jin, whose 65 included a bogey at the opening hole. From that point he was blemish-free, making six birdies and an eagle-three at the 11th.

He added: “Almost every single hole was a highlight. I got a couple of lucky breaks and everything went well for me today.

“My game hasn’t been great. The last couple of tournaments I played, it wasn’t the way I wanted it to go.  But coming into this tournament I just wanted to play free and enjoy the process of playing, even if I play good or play bad. I’m just trying to enjoy this game as much as I can.”

For 15-year-old TK, 12th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), it was a tale of two nines. He struggled with his driver throughout the first nine and then endured three birdie putts lipping out on the back nine in a stretch where he had birdie chances on all nine holes and his longest birdie putt was from 21 feet.

“It was the most disappointing 67 I have ever shot. Of course, if you had given that score to me at the start of the day I would have taken it,” said TK, who shot a 60 in Wednesday's final practice round.

“I was hitting my driver so bad on the front nine and then, at the turn, my father (also his caddie) told me to pay attention to my alignment and tempo. I hit every fairway and green on the back nine but kept missing putts, including on the 17^th and 18^th holes from inside seven to eight feet.

“Being hard on myself is the only reason why I’m at this level at a young age. If I’m happy with a five‑under, I’m never going to win this event. I must keep my head down and I have to get there the next three days. 

“This is the tournament I want to win most in my life. On the Asian Tour, there are 12 events I can play every year, but this only comes once a year ... and it only comes to Thailand once every 10-12 years. Let me put it this way – I don’t want this, I need this. It's a big difference.”

A slight neck sprain early in the morning restricted Leow’s movements but it wasn’t enough to stop him from shooting a 67.

The 25-year-old, enjoying some of the best form of his career that has helped him win two college golf titles in the United States and reach the round of 16 in the US Mid-Amateur Championship in the past few months, made just one bogey – on the difficult par-three eighth.

“I could feel it in my neck when I reached the 10^th tee and I couldn’t turn my upper body as much as I needed to. I kept my strategy simple after that and played to my strengths. I don’t like to push for extra yardage or try to hit certain hero shots. So the sprain could have helped,” said Leow.

Japan’s Suzuki posted six birdies and dropped just one shot on the par-four sixth.

China's Ding Wenyi Ding, the reigning US Junior Amateur champion and the second highest-ranked player in the field at number 17 on the WAGR, was one of seven players tied for 13^th place at three-under par 69.

*For full scores, please visit www.aacgolf.com