PRACHUAB KHIRI KHAN, Thailand – Michael Hoey shot an 8-under 64 Thursday to set a course record and take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Thailand Classic.
The former British Amateur champion from Northern Ireland had eight birdies at the Black Mountain Golf Club to lead three others by one shot. David Lipsky of the United States, Hung Chien-yao of Taiwan and Carlos Pigem of Spain were tied for second at the European-Asian Tour event.
“I know the course is scoreable because there’s not a lot of rough, but the wind picks up and the last few holes were tricky today,” Hoey said. “We probably had 10 or 11 holes with not much wind, which was the advantage of teeing off early. But the last few holes were tricky.”
Canadian Richard T. Lee carded a 4-under 68 for a share of 14th place.