While everyone else was taking an extended break over Christmas, Jazz Janewattananond went back to school, determined not to be left further behind as his Asian Tour colleagues continued to pick up trophies and accolades.
The hard work paid instance dividends on Thursday, with the 28-year-old shooting a nine-under-par 62 in the opening round of the Malaysian Open.
His score was matched by India’s Veer Ahlawat, while Canada’s Richard T Lee carded a 63, and Malaysians Gavin Green and Khavish Varadan came in with 64s at The Mines Resort & Golf Club.
Jazz, who has seven Asian Tour wins to his name, said a good off-season had been key to his hot start, which included seven birdies and an eagle at the par-5 11th, when he sank his putt from off the green.
“A long break seems to have done me some good,” the Thai professional said. “I went to Korea to work with new coaches, BFG Korea – that’s a golf school. I have just been working on my balance, getting my balance back. I was with them for three weeks.
“I just want to be playing well this year. I don’t want a repeat of last year or the year before. I just want to be teeing up and feeling confident. I want to be in contention, I don’t like fighting to make the cuts, and I don’t like being left behind and not playing for anything.”
Ahlawat, who played his first full season on the Asian Tour in 2022, when he finished equal fifth in the Singapore Open, which remains his best result to date, dropped his only shot of the day on 18.
“I really worked on my body during the break,” he said. “I tried to gain some yardage and I think I did gain a little bit but not much to be honest. My goal is to finally get a win this year and then have a lot of top tens.”
As preferred lies were being played their 62s did not count as course records, meaning Tiger Woods’ 63 at the World Cup of Golf in 1999 is still the mark the beat.
Australian Wade Ormsby, a four-time winner on the Asian Tour, came in with a 69, thanks to a hole-in-one on the par-3 165-yard second.
Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho had an up and down day, finishing with an even-par 71 after a round that included five bogeys and had him three over through his first eight holes.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tK%2FMqWWcp51kwLG70a1moKecm3yivtOimqWdX2h%2Fdn6QaWpomaOerq9506isq2Walse7ecmapZ6vkanBorrAp6annKNiwKS0zqijZqCfobalrdhmp5qxo2K2r7%2FTmqWtZZSew6qwxKebrGWdlrmixdKimKdln6Wyrw%3D%3D