Donaldson opens with 63 to lead Thailand Championship

Jamie Donaldson of Wales enjoyed a sizzling opening round of nine-under-par 63 to take a three-stroke lead over three players, including 2013 winner, Sergio Garcia, in the Thailand Championship yesterday.

Donaldson, who hasn’t won in 16 months, birdied his first four holes and the last two at Amata Spring Country Club, and said, “I couldn’t really do things wrong.

“I never really missed any fairways. The good par save on nine was the key to keep the momentum going after pushing the tee shot a little bit. I got up and down there from about 20 feet.”

Garcia, who lifted his 23rd career title in Vietnam last weekend, and locals Chinnarat Phadungsilp and Chanat Sakulpolphaisan were at 6 under.

Garcia was on par after his second bogey on the 10th hole, then reeled off six birdies over the last eight holes.

“It was a wonderful back nine,” he said.