SINGAPORE, 21 March 2024 – Kiradech Aphibarnrat started the DP World Tour’s Asian Swing in brilliant fashion, as an eight-under par round of 64 earned him a share of the first-round lead at the Porsche Singapore Classic.
The 34-year-old mixed a single bogey with nine birdies to set the target – and the course record – before being joined by Malaysian Gavin Green and England’s Jordan Smith on eight-under par after the opening day at Laguna National Golf Resort Club.
The DP World Tour’s Asian Swing, consisting of five events on the Asian continent, begins this week and four-time winner Aphibarnrat made the perfect start to proceedings in Singapore.
The Thai was level par through three holes after cancelling out an opening birdie with a dropped shot at the third, before gains at the fourth, sixth, eighth and ninth saw him make the turn in 31.
He then hit four more birdies on the back nine as he picked up shots at the 12th, 13th and 15th, before closing out on a high on the 18th for his lowest round since the 2022 Portugal Masters.
The lead was quickly shared with Englishman Smith, who pulled alongside Aphibarnrat in the very next group after posting a bogey-free eight-under par effort.
Malaysia’s Green made the most of being close to home by posting the best effort of the afternoon wave. The 30-year-old dropped just a single shot on a hot day at Laguna National, with his younger brother walking the fairways with him in support.
The leading trio share a one-stroke advantage from Frenchman Ugo Coussaud, who continued his impressive run of form with a seven-under round of 65. The DP World Tour rookie was nine-under after 13 holes, but a dropped shot at his 14th and a double bogey to finish meant he had to settle for second after 18 holes.
Four players share fifth on six-under, including Scotland’s Grant Forrest, Englishman Richard Mansell, Andrea Pavan of Italy, and Germany’s Freddy Schott. Singapore’s Nicklaus Chiam is tied 115th at three-over 75, while compatriots Joshua Yap (four-over 76) and Irvyn Tan (seven-over 79) are tied-122nd and 131st respectively.
The US$2.5 million Porsche Singapore Classic continues tomorrow till 24 March. This year’s event welcomes Porsche as its new Title Partner, with the German automobile giant continuing its long-standing relationship with the DP World Tour by extending its global golf involvement.Event updates can be found on the Porsche Singapore Classic website, as well as its Facebook and Instagram pages. Tickets to the Porsche Singapore Classic are available here. Children aged 16 and under receive complimentary entry when accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket. The Porsche Singapore Classic spectator village will feature a multitude of activities, food & beverage and entertainment options for golfers and non-golfers alike.
Credit: Porsche Singapore Classic