Välimäki and Simonsen tied in Thailand

Finland’s Sami Välimäki carried on his fine form from last week’s second place finish on the DP World Tour with a bogey free opening round of eight under par 64 at Amata Spring Country Club.

He’s matched at the top of the leaderboard with recent Challenge Tour graduate from Denmark Martin Simonsen, he matched Välimäki after an opening round of eight under par.

“It’s a great day. I thought it was going to be difficult out there with the wind, and it was. But thankfully I played the par fives really well, which helped. It was great” said Simonsen.

Just a further shot back at seven under par are a pair of German’s. Last season’s DP World Tour Mallorca Open winner Yannik Paul and another Challenge Tour graduate in Alexander Knappe.

Knappe put the day’s 65 down to his solid short game. “I holed many putts and played solid. Had a good day with my caddie, so it was an enjoyable day.

"I had a good little wedge shot on the first, making birdie, and my second shot on the par five on 11 it hit the bank and stopped quickly. So that was a good opportunity and I took it. Another good wedge shot close to the pin, it was a hot start. I thought I could keep it going, but I’m still pleased with the round.”

Dubai based Spaniard Rafa Cabrera Bello sits in a four-way tie for fifth place after a bogey free six under par opening round.

Top of the leaderboard after Round One:

T1 - Välimäki, S (64) Simonsen, M (64)
T3 - Paul, Y (65) Knappe, A (65)
T5 - Sciot-Siegrist, R (66) Zanotti, F (66) Cabrera Bello, R (66) Lawrence, T (66)