Hua Hin, Thailand, February 19: South African Neil Schietekat and debutant Toshiumi Kushioka of Japan opened their campaigns with matching seven-under-par 64s on course A&B at the Lake View Resort and Golf Club to lead by one shot at the Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage on Wednesday.
The 36-year-old Schietekat, a three-time winner on the Sunshine Tour, returned with a bogey-free round highlighted by seven birdies to sit atop the leaderboard with Kushioka, who had progressed from Section A of the First Stage Qualifying School last month, where he finished tied-13th on the same venue.
HUA HIN – THAILAND – Toshiumi Kushioka of Japan pictured on Wednesday February 19, 2020, during round one of the final stage of the Asian Tour Qualifying School at the Lakeview Resort and Golf Club, Thailand. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Benjamin Follett-smith, the only Zimbabwean in the 244-man field this week, rediscovered his best form by carding a flawless 65 to share third place with American Seungjae Maeng, Korea’s Dongeun Kim and Karan Pratap Singh of India following the opening round of the 90-hole battle that was held across courses A&B and C&D.
Law graduate Natipong Srithong of Thailand signed for the lowest round of the day at the C&D course with a 66. The 26-year-old sits two shots back in seventh place alongside American Miguel Delgado, Korea’s Taehoon Ok and Malcolm Kokocinski of Sweden.
Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino, highest-ranked player in the field at 116th place on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), posted a 68 on course C&D to grab a share of 22nd place.
His compatriot Genki Okada matched his efforts by producing the shot of the day on the par-three fourth hole of the A&B course after his five-iron found the bottom of the cup from 197 yards.
HUA HIN – THAILAND – Benjamin Follett-Smith of Zimbabwe pictured on Wednesday February 19, 2020, during round one of the final stage of the Asian Tour Qualifying School at the Lakeview Resort and Golf Club, Thailand. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The 2020 Asian Tour Qualifying School, which comprises of two stages – First Stage and Final stage, attracted a total of 458 entries from 37 countries across the globe.
After the completion of 36 holes on Thursday, the field will be cut to the leading 140 players and ties who will then play 2 further rounds.
After 72 holes, the field will be cut again to the leading 70 players and ties, who will then play the fifth and final round. At the conclusion of 90 holes on Sunday, the leading 35 players and ties will be ranked accordingly for the 2020 season.
Ends.
