Miguel Tabuena, Dodge Kemmer shoot 64s to lead at Black Mountain

Filipino Miguel Tabuena and Dodge Kemmer of the United States enjoyed a good start to the International Series Thailand on Saturday carding eight-under-par 64s to take the lead on the first day.

The duo was led by Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Jazz Janewattananond who shot 65s at Black Mountain Golf Club, in Hua Hin.

Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho, American Turk Pettit, Australia’s Andrew Dodt, Korea’s Bio Kim and Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong, Danthai Boonma, Ekpharit Wu, and Settee Prakongvech all came in with 66s.

The $2 million event is the fifth event of the season on the Asian Tour, and the third International Series tournament.

Last year Tabuena had an uncharacteristic season and only retained his Tour card. The top 70 in the Asian Tour Order of Merit remained on the cards and Tabuena finished 70th, exactly $71.89 ahead of Kemmer, in 71st place.

But he came back with a vengeance this year and finished in the top 15 in the last two events on Tour, the International Series tournaments in Oman and Qatar.

“Long story short, I didn’t play very well last year,” the 28-year-old said.

“I have been for some time, but I was lucky enough to save a card with about 50 dollars, I was the last person who got in, and I told myself that it will not happen again.

“I worked hard during the off-season, and I felt a bit exposed. I was 13th in Oman and top 10 in Qatar. The games are here, even home. I’m just happy to be together.”

He made four birdies on each of the nine including one on the final hole.

He added: “The course worked in the morning. I was lucky enough to start the heat. I was four under after six. I actually left a couple of putts out there, mis-read two of them. I was lucky enough to finish with a birdie at the end. I couldn’t complain take 64.

The good round from the Philippines couldn’t have come at a better time as he was watched by his whole family.

“My whole family is here, finally, for a few years. It was just my husband for the past few tournaments, but I am very, very grateful for my father here, mother, sister and brother,” said Tabuena, whose last victory came in 2018 in the Queen’s Cup, also here. Thailand.

Kemmer made it to the merit list by achieving a top 10 finish in the Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit.

“Started out slow, got a lot of chances and took a while to figure out the greens,” said Kemmer, who played the back nine in a six-under-par 30 that included a three-putt for the par 18.

“I turned two under and then started hitting the wedges quite close, a bunch of them at four or five feet, which took some of the guess work out of the greens.

“I’m going to try and get better tomorrow, keep swinging aggressively and maybe learn more on the greens and make more putts.”

The American’s great season at ADT was highlighted by a victory at the Gurugram Classic in India in April.

He added: “I had a good season in the ADT, one win with a lot of top fives, never got the Asian Tour. So I know being there, it’s been really good this year. It’s good to start well.”

As expected Kiradech, looking for his first victory in five years, has made a strong start.

“Opening round, one stroke behind, seven in, it’s always good to start that way,” said Kiradech, who missed a 20-foot eagle putt on the par-five 18th after hitting a brilliant second shot using a three-wood 300 meters.

“I’m hitting the ball better. I’m working with my new coach, my swing coach Mike Walker, I think we’re working on it right. I just need a good week to put everything together. And hopefully I’ll be strong enough to play four days. I’ve been playing with injuries in the past three years, right knee, left hip, just appeared.

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