Jazz in close pursuit of Thai compatriot
PUBLISHED : 26 Sep 2025 at 05:38
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Atiruj Winaicharoenchai tees off during the first round of the Taiwan Masters. (Photo: ASIAN TOUR)
Taipei: Atiruj Winaicharoenchai was rock-steady in typically blustery conditions at Taiwan Golf & Country Club as the Thai youngster shot a solid five-under-par 67 for a one-shot lead over compatriot Jazz Janewattanond on the opening day of the US$1million Taiwan Masters on Thursday.
The 25-year-old from Bangkok closed with a bogey on the final 18th hole, but that could not wipe the smile off his face after a round that included five birdies and an eagle.
Jazz, the 2019 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, made a late bogey on the par-three 17th that denied him from joining Atiruj at the top, but his 68 was still two shots better than American George Kneiser, playing in his rookie year on the Asian Tour, and Japan’s Yuta Yoshikuwa.
Scott Hend, the 2016 Order of Merit champion, was among four players tied for the fifth place at 71 as only eight players managed to break par on a demanding course with the wind gusts reaching 40kph at times. Also on 71 were Thailand’s Suradit Yongcharoenchai and Itthipat Buranatanyarat, and France’s Joel Stalter.
After finishing his round that featured four back-to-back birdies from the fifth to the eighth holes, Atiruj said: “It was a day when I easily made a birdie whenever I had the opportunity to do so, and I still could save pars when I was in danger of dropping shots.
“The key was that I took advantage of all four par-fives on the golf course. The eagle on the 15th was a lucky one because I was looking to two-putt a downhill putt, but it went in luckily.
“The wind picked up as we progressed with the round. I just picked my moments. Especially on the short two-three footers, I waited for the right time because the gusts were so strong.”
Jazz, 29 and also from Bangkok, made an early bogey on the par-four third hole, but knuckled down after that and made six birdies, including four in a six-hole stretch from the 11th to 16th.
Runner-up earlier this year at the Maekyung Open Golf in Korea, Jazz said he surprised himself with the round. “The game was not feeling so good [before coming to Taiwan]. I’ve had a few top-10s, and a few missed cuts in a row. So, the game has been on a roller-coaster. I really don’t know where I am at, but I am delighted with the start,” said the six-time winner on the Asian Tour.
“I surprised myself with the way I played today. The golf course is playing really tough because of the wind. I don’t know how I did that, but I am pretty happy with a 68 start.
“I did not hit play too bad. I hit some good shots and I hit some bad shots, but I somehow managed to put it together. There was nothing special, nothing that stood out. I just wanted to shoot under-par today, and I succeeded in doing that.”