Hua Hin: Antonio Costa hit a six under par 66 to seize a one-stroke lead on the opening day of the MahaSamutr Masters – round six of the 19-stage Mena Golf Tour – at Banyan Golf Club in Thailand on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old Chilean carded four birdies and an eagle in a blemish free opening round, which was highlighted by impeccable approach shots, as England’s Stuart Archibald and rising Indian amateur Rayhan Thomas shared second on five under par 67s.
“I struck the ball consistently well and felt very comfortable with my long game,” said Costa, who earned his card through qualifying school in Sotogrande earlier this year.
“All my approach shots were close, to within 10 or 12 feet, which was great. My score could have been a lot better had I putted well, but you can’t complain after opening with a 66,” he added of his best round on tour.
England’s Archibald settled into a groove after making a bogey-birdie-bogey start, playing his last 14 holes in six under.
“I played really well, especially on the back nine,” he said. “I chipped in for an eagle on the par-5, 12th which certainly was the highpoint.
“My front nine was just okay. I made some silly mistakes there which resulted in a couple of dropped shots on par-3s.
“In fact, I have been playing good golf, but not scoring that well. So, I’m very happy to be able to string a good round together,” he added.
India’s Thomas, who is currently leading the Mena Golf Tour’s amateur division, described his opening 67 as one of his best rounds on tour.
“I don’t think I left any shot out there. I just played solid golf,” said the 16-year-old Dubai-based prodigy who finished second at last week’s event at Mountain Creek.
America’s Berry Henson and Englishman Craig Hinton finished a further shot back on four under par, one clear of a six-man group which included the Mena Golf Tour’s Order of Merit leader Zane Scotland and his fellow Englishman Miles Tunnicliff, a two-time winner on the European Tour.
The English trio of Luke Joy, Fredrik Edmunds and Scott Campbell, along with Fredrik Lindblom of Sweden, completed the group for a share of sixth on three under as Wolmer Murillo, the winner of last week’s Mena Golf tour event at Mountain Creek, was tied for 12th on two-under 70.
