Published July 17, 2008 on July 20, 2018

A Fair First Day for Asians at The Open Championship

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Malaysia’s rising star Gavin Green battled to an opening one-over-par 72 in his debut Major appearance at The 147th Open at Carnoustie on Thursday. The big-hitting Green, who averaged 354 yards off the tee, marked his card with five birdies against six bogeys to trail by six shots at the world’s oldest Major championship.

“I hit it good. The bogeys were just bad breaks. I didn’t stay short enough of the pot bunkers but I was learning. My ball striking was good. Three of my birdies were all tap-ins. A couple of times I hit it into the bunkers and had to chip it out but overall, a one-over to start my first Major, I’ll take it,” said Green.

The 24-year-old Malaysian sealed his place in the year’s third Major by winning the Asian Tour Order of Merit crown last year, where he claimed one victory and five top-10 finishes.

Despite closing with two straight bogeys, Green kept his head up and remained optimistic of putting up a lower score on Friday.

“I was just cruising out there. But towards the end, I just hit a couple of bad shots at the wrong time. I wasn’t nervous out there. I was calm and cool so it’s fine. We will keep to the same game plan tomorrow and just be careful of the bunkers which cost me two shots today.

“It wasn’t that tough coming down the stretch I think. I just hit shots that I shouldn’t hit. It was a good save for bogey on 17,” added Green who has his father Gary on the bag this week.

Thai star Kiradech Aphibarnrat endured a day of mixed emotions as he signed for an opening three-over-par 74. The 28-year-old Thai fired two birdies against a double-bogey to turn in level par. He dropped four shots in his next seven holes but gained an unexpected birdie on 17 after his pitch from 80 yards found the bottom of the cup.

“Definitely not a good start to the week, shooting three-over in the opening round,” said Kiradech. “I had a good start today, birdied the first and missed by a little bit for birdie on the second. I just miscalculated that shot which landed in the bunker, resulting in a double-bogey, unfortunately.”

“Managed to turn in level par but I can only say there are too many bunkers on the back-nine. (laughs). I made a good comeback on the 17. It was a great shot. It was good to finish with that birdie coming back,” added Kiradech, a three-time Asian Tour winner and a four-time European Tour champion.

Kiradech, who played alongside defending champion Jordan Spieth and world number three Justin Rose, lamented his poor ball-striking where he found only four fairways but kept up his hopes of making a comeback on Friday.

“I was just trying to stay consistent out there. I hope I can continue to do that tomorrow, keep the ball in play and just get it low tomorrow. It was good fun out there with Justin (Rose) and Jordan (Spieth). All of us weren’t having a good day out there. Justin and I weren’t striking the ball well but I am sure we will go out there and gain it back tomorrow,” he said.

Fellow compatriot and Major debutant Jazz Janewattananond matched the efforts of Kiradech after marking his card with four birdies against a double-bogey and five bogeys.

“It was a long round today. I started off alright but it got quite bad later but I managed to keep my head in it. It’s a tough golf course and it’s also my first Major championship. I have never played links course before so to finish three-over-par, I’m pretty happy.

“Another round tomorrow, things could be different, you never know. I just have to be calm about it and see what happens. I made a long putt on hole 11 for birdie. It was about 40 feet or more. It was a really tough hole because it’s straight into the wind,” Jazz said.

The Thai duo were among those tied in 90th place, eight shots behind leader Kevin Kisner of the United States. Danthai Boonma, the other Thai debutant in the field, posted a 78.

“It has been awesome playing in my first Major. It’s kind of weird. You see so many good guys out here. In the locker, you might meet Tiger Woods while changing your shoes and Dustin Johnson might just walk past you at the range, it’s pretty mind-blowing,” said a thrilled Jazz.

Young Indian talent Shubhankar Sharma got off to a battling start, signing for an opening two-over-par 73 in his debut appearance. Sharma, who turns 22 on Saturday, carded one birdie against three bogeys to trail leader Kevin Kisner of the United States by seven shots in tied-72nd position at the year’s third Major championship.

“I am very happy with my opening round, considering that I was three-over after 13 holes and last few holes are supposed to be tough but I finished one-under there. I was hitting the ball really well. I had a few birdie opportunities as well but didn’t manage to convert.

“I hit it good off the tee. I didn’t miss too many fairways, which was nice. My putting wasn’t great. I could have made more. Playing in a Major, you just got to take every chance presented to you out there,” said Sharma, who leads the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings.

“I think I just have to stay aggressive tomorrow. I made only one birdie today. I have to make more tomorrow. It has been really a dream debut for me at The Open.

“I had a great grouping and Tiger (Woods) was playing behind me. I think I have never seen so many people on the first tee before. I don’t think I have ever seen so many people at one hole at one time so it was really a great experience,” Sharma added.

Anirban Lahiri, the other Indian in the field, signed for a disappointing 76 but remained upbeat of his comeback chances on Friday.

“I didn’t get off a good start. It was only two or three holes in that I started to tidy things up a bit. I missed a lot of shots right. I am disappointed to go birdie-free today. I definitely left a lot of shots out there. I couldn’t take advantage of the par-fives as well.

“Obviously five-over-par is not the best start but I still feel like I can make a bunch of birdies tomorrow. A lot of work to do but I will need to do what I need to do for tomorrow,” said Lahiri, the 2015 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion.