Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan delivered an exceptional performance on the first day of the SJM Macao Open, carding a flawless bogey-free nine-under-par 61 to take an early lead.
The 27-year-old Thai golfer, seeking his breakthrough victory on the Asian Tour, demonstrated impressive form throughout the round, continuing the momentum from last week’s Mercuries Taiwan Masters, where he secured a tied 4th finish.
Reflecting on his spectacular start, Rattanon said: “I’m so happy and excited to be here. I have played in this tournament for about ten years and like the golf course. And the key with this golf course is you need to hit a good tee shot.”
Looking ahead to the rest of the tournament, Rattanon plans to keep things simple: “Play the same; just hit a good tee shot this week.”
Sam Brazel (AUS) took the 2nd spot at Round One of the SJM Macao Open. (Photo Credit: Asian Tour)
Just two shots behind Rattanon is Australia’s Sam Brazel, who posted a seven-under 63 despite a round that included two bogeys. Brazel’s mix of seven birdies and an eagle kept him well within striking distance as he eyes a potential victory this week.
At six-under-par are Bjorn Hellgren (Sweden), Miguel Tabuena (Philippines), Chang Wei-lun (Chinese Taipei), and Liu Yung-hua (Chinese Taipei).
After a tough start, Liu had an incredible bounce-back performance, recovering from a triple-bogey on the first hole. He responded with an impressive nine birdies – the most of any player in this round – to secure a solid six-under score. Meanwhile, Tabuena has been one of the season’s standout players with four top-10 finishes, including a third-place result at the recent Yeangder TPC, and continues to be a strong contender here in Macao.
Brian Harman (USA) tied at 11 during Round One on Thursday October 10, 2024 at the SJM Macao Open. (Photo Credit: SJM)
Meanwhile, world No. 27 and 2023 Open Champion Brian Harman, the highest-ranked player in the field, quietly put together a solid round of three-under-par 67, featuring four birdies and a single bogey.
Defending champion Min Woo Lee, who set a tournament record last year with a 30-under-par finish, had a quieter start this year, posting a two-under 68. While it wasn’t the start he had hoped for, Lee’s four birdies and two bogeys leave him ample opportunity to mount a comeback as the tournament unfolds.
Defending champion, Min Woo Lee (AUS) tied at 19th at Round One of the SJM Macao Open. (Photo Credit: Asian Tour)
Malaysia’s Shahriffuddin Ariffin carded a one-under 69 and is tied for 36th position. His almost flawless round, which included two birdies on the 9th and 15th holes, was marred by a bogey on the 16th when he momentarily lost focus due to the fading daylight.
Ervin Chang, the other player from Malaysia, had a rough opening round with four bogeys on the second, fourth, 10th and 14th holes. His birdie on the 18th brought some cheer to his otherwise dismal scorecard. He finished the round on three-over 73 and is positioned in joint 111th.
This year’s tournament holds special significance, coinciding with the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 25th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao SAR. As Macao continues to grow its global sporting presence, the SJM Macao Open stands out as one of the most anticipated events on the Asian golfing calendar.
Fans can witness all the action at the 2024 SJM Macao Open live for free this week, with the opportunity to register for up to 10 tickets each. In addition to the thrilling golf action, attendees can look forward to an exciting fan village featuring several food and beverage options and putting and chipping challenges for all ages. For more information and to secure your tickets, please visit www.sjmmacaoopen.com
Scores after round 1 of the SJM Macao Open being played at Macau Golf & Country Club, a par-70, 6,750-yard course (am – denotes amateur):
61 – Rattanon Wannasrichan (THA).
63 – Sam Brazel (AUS).
64 – Miguel Tabuena (PHI), Chang Wei-lun (TPE), Bjorn Hellgren (SWE), Liu Yung-hua (TPE).
65 – Wang Wei-hsuan (TPE), Gunn Charoenkul (THA).
66 – Poosit Supupramai (THA), Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA).
67 – Daniel Van Tonder (RSA), Chonlatit Chuenboonngam (THA), Siddikur Rahman (BAN), Brian Harman (USA), John Catlin (USA), Jeunghun Wang (KOR), Suteepat Prateeptienchai (THA), Douglas Klein (AUS).
68 – Sadom Kaewkanjana (THA), Meenwhee Kim (KOR), Panuphol Pittayarat (THA), Khalin Joshi (IND), Hung Chien-yao (TPE), Atiruj Winaicharoenchai (THA), Justin Warren (AUS), Leon D’Souza (HKG), Sampson Zheng (CHN), Jazz Janewattananond (THA), Min Woo Lee (AUS), David Drysdale (SCO), Jason Knutzon (USA), Prom Meesawat (THA), Yeh Yu-chen (TPE), Seungtaek Lee (KOR), Manav Shah (USA).
69 – Trevor Simsby (USA), Tirawat Kaewsiribandit (THA), Natipong Srithong (THA), Lu Wei-chih (TPE), David Boriboonsub (THA), Kosuke Hamamoto (THA), Chapchai Nirat (THA), Ian Snyman (RSA), Mardan Mamat (SIN), Charng-Tai Sudsom (THA), Sihwan Kim (USA), Berry Henson (USA), Jaco Ahlers (RSA), Carlos Pigem (ESP), Matthew Cheung (HKG), Kevin Yuan (AUS), S.S.P. Chawrasia (IND), Huang Chi (TPE), Justin Quiban (PHI), Ben Jones (ENG), Shahriffuddin Ariffin (MAS), Wen Cheng-hsiang (TPE).
70 – Deyen Lawson (AUS), Kristoffer Broberg (SWE), Suradit Yongcharoenchai (THA), Yurav Premlall (RSA), Jbe Kruger (RSA), Xu Wang (CHN), Honey Baisoya (IND), Karandeep Kochhar (IND), Pui In Hun (MAC), Chanat Sakulpolphaisan (THA), Matt Killen (ENG), Jonathan Wijono (INA), Varun Chopra (IND), Minhyeok Yang (KOR), Wade Ormsby (AUS), Ngai Si (MAC), Scott Hend (AUS), Denzel Ieremia (NZL), Liu Yanwei (CHN), Harrison Crowe (AUS), Saptak Talwar (IND), Settee Prakongvech (THA).
71 – Michael Maguire (USA), Yuvraj Singh Sandhu (IND), Austen Truslow (USA), Ajeetesh Sandhu (IND), William Harrold (ENG), Lachlan Barker (AUS), Jose Toledo (GTM), Hongtaek Kim (KOR), Brendan Jones (AUS), David Meyers (RSA), Jordan Zunic (AUS), Rashid Khan (IND), Poom Saksansin (THA), Zach Murray (AUS), Todd Sinnott (AUS), Naoki Sekito (JPN), Sean Ramos (PHI), Peter Gunawan (INA).
72 – Jack Thompson (AUS), Koh Dengshan (SIN), Ollie Roberts (SCO), Chikkarangappa S. (IND), Chen Guxin (CHN), Aaron Wilkin (AUS), Eric McIntosh (SCO), Chan Shih-chang (TPE), Jed Morgan (AUS), Miguel Carballo (ARG), Pawin Ingkhapradit (THA), Zhang Jinshen (CHN), Chiu Han-ting (TPE).
73 – Rory Hie (INA), Gabriel Tomas Manotoc (PHI), Nick Voke (NZL), Dodge Kemmer (USA), Phachara Khongwatmai (THA), Maverick Antcliff (AUS), Itthipat Buranatanyarat (THA), Ho Yu-cheng (TPE), Ervin Chang (MAS), Zhang Zihong (CHN), Isaac Lam (HKG).
74 – Lei Kun Wang (am, MAC), Sun Haohua (am, CHN), Ryan Van Velzen (RSA), Marcus Fraser (AUS), Liu Yen-hung (TPE), Zhang Jin (CHN), Lv Junhan (CHN), Steve Lewton (ENG), Pattaraphol Khanthacha (THA), Zhang Lianwei (CHN).
75 – Fang Xiang (CHN), Ye Wocheng (CHN), Michael Herrera (USA), Yashas Chandra (IND).
76 – Tanapat Pichaikool (THA), Tsai Kai-jen (TPE), Wei Tianyou (CHN).
77 – Li Jun Hong (CHN), Lion Park (KOR), Aung Sann Myo (MYN).
78 – Cui Jingguo (CHN).
END.
Michael Regan Wong, Hong Kong – DQ
