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Finland’s Sami Valimaki and Denmark’s Martin Simonsen share the lead after a low-scoring opening day at the Thailand Classic; Watch the second round live on Friday at 5.30pm on Sky Sports Golf
Last updated: 16/02/23 13:50
Sami Valimaki grabbed the early lead in Thailand
Martin Simonsen and Sami Valimaki hold a share of the lead after a low-scoring opening round at the DP World Tour’s Thailand Classic.
The pair made the most of calmer afternoon conditions for a two-card eight-under 64 at Amata Springs Country Club, giving German pair Alexander Knappe and Yannik Paul a one-way cushion.
Simonsen mixed an eagle and seven birdies with a single bogey to move alongside clubhouse leader Valimaki, who birdied three holes and registered a bogey-free round.
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A look at perhaps the strangest hole in golf where players have to get the right boat to play the par-three 17th at Amata Spring Country Club in Thailand.
The Dane reached the turn at 32 and followed up a birdie at the 10th with a three-for eagle at the next, before canceling a bogey at the par-three 13th with consecutive wins from 15 to share the top spot.
“It was a great round,” Simonsen said. “I started well and kept going all day. I just kept playing and when I started hitting the ball well, it was easy. .”
Valimaki, looking for his first DP World Tour victory since the 2020 Oman Open, followed up his three-birdie start by adding consecutive birdies from the seventh and adding three more in five holes from the 11th.
2016 Ryder Cup player Rafa Cabrera Bello, South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence, France’s Robin Sciot-Siegrist and Paraguay’s Fabrizio Zanotti are all two shots back, with favorite Kiradech Aphibarnrat home three shots off the early lead with a five-under 67.
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Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre is also part of a large group in four under par after finding a solution to the new putting problem.
“The last four weeks have been really tough on the greens,” the lefty said. “I did some work on Tuesday and realized it was more mental, not technical.
Robert MacIntyre was fourth off the pace thanks to a fourth in 68 there
“It’s about freeing myself and what I’ve been doing. I’ve changed the routine that I’ve been shooting with a touch and just trusting my instincts and what I do best, is to make a good stroke and hope to go in.
“I was driving really well. I was really just waiting for the putter to turn for the last couple of weeks. I hope today is a good sign.”
Watch the Thai Classic all week live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues Friday from 5.30pm on Sky Sports Golf
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