Miguel Tabuena (Phi) and Dodge Kemmer (US) shot impressive opening rounds in the $2 million International Series Thailand today (Thursday), carding eight under par 64’s to co-lead on the Asian Tour.

The Filipino, a two-time winner on the Asian Tour, and currently 22nd in the Asian Tour Order of Merit, had two nines of 32 with a morning tee time. Kemmer, hit 15 of 18 greens in regulation in the afternoon with eight birdies and no bogeys, just like Tabuena, and stands 616th in the OWGR.

This event is the fifth event of the season on the Asian Tour, and the third International Series tournament of the year. On a day of good scoring 109 players beat the par of 72 from the 156 player field.

Tabuena endured an uncharacteristically poor season in 2022 and only just retained his Tour card. The top 70 on the Asian Tour Order of Merit kept their cards and Tabuena finished 70th, exactly $71.89 ahead of ironically co-leader Kemmer in 71st position.

Tabuena said, ‘I worked really hard during the off season, and I guess it is showing a bit. I finished 13th in Oman and top 10 in Qatar. The game has been there, even back home. I am just glad it’s coming together.’

The leaders are one shot ahead of second placed Thai players Jazz Janewattananond and Kiradech Aphibarnrat who shot 65’s.

This week’s winner of the International Series – Thailand will receive 7.33379 OWGR points.

Round One Leaders (7,551 Yards, Par 72)1 - M. Tabuena (Phi) 64 (-8)   - D. Kemmer (US) 64 (-8)3 - K. Aphibarnrat (Thai) 65 (-7)   - J. Janewattananond (Thai) 65 (-7)