Teenager shares slender lead at Pattana

Korean rookie Noh Seung-yul and Thailand’s Sattaya Supupramai held a one-stroke lead at the Asian Tour International after carding opening round eight-under-par 64s at the Pattana Golf and Sports Resort on Thursday.

The 16-year-old Noh, a former Korean amateur number one, holed two eagles in a bogey-free round while Sattaya, 24, signed for nine birdies against a lone dropped shot.

Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-tang and England’s Simon Griffiths head the chasing pack at seven-under, with India’s Rahil Gangjee, Japan’s Mitsuhiro Tateyama and Welshman Craig Smith a further shot off the first-round pace.

Noh played his flawless opening round with father Noh Gu Huieun on the bag.

“It was down to my putting today which helped me produce a low score. But my dad has been great helping me read the greens and I’m pleased with the result,” he said.

“The eagles were great as the ball landed around 15 feet away from the pin on both holes. I’m happy to be playing here and I hope to keep up my steady performance on the greens.”

Sattaya missed out on a top-40 finish at the Asian Tour Qualifying School in December last year, but is relishing the chance to secure full playing rights, with the support of caddie Silikon Aimsamaong, who has previously worked with fellow Thai Prayad Marksaeng.

“I’m enjoying my game right now. I finished in the top-10 in a local tournament last week and I had a solid finish today with birdies on my last two holes so I’m very happy with my form,” said Bangkok-based Sattaya.

“I missed the Qualifying School by three strokes and it was frustrating as I had struck bogeys in my last three holes.

“My mental game has been the letdown for me but I learnt from that experience and it showed today. I can handle the pressure and I’m comfortable out on course compared to how it was before.”