Thais lead 1st round of Putra Cup

Thais lead 1st round of Putra Cup

MANILA (AP): Tongchai Jaidee and Songphan Puakkprapong each scored 1-under-par 71s to put Thailand into an early lead in the first round of the 38th Putra Cup.

Thailand, the defending champion, led with 214 and was eight strokes ahead of second place Malaysia with 222.

Indonesia and Hong Kong tied for third spot with 228 each. The Philippines was in fourth place with 230, followed by Singapore with 234, Papua New Guinea with 244 and Brunei with 257.

The 72-hole, four-day event organized by the National Golf Association of the Philippines under the Asian Golf Federation follows the four-to-play, three-to-count format.

It is being played at the Santa Elena Golf Club in Santa Rosa in Laguna province, south of Manila.

The Southeast Asian amateur golf team championship was conceived in 1961 by then Malaysian Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman to foster friendship among countries in the region and develop the game.

Scores Thailand 214 Malaysia 222 Hong Kong 228 Indonesia 228 Philippines 230 Singapore 234 Papua New Guinea 244 Brunei 257