August 21: Korea's Younga Nam and Thailand's Somkiat Srisanga fired identical rounds of seven-under 64 to tie for the lead after the opening round of the USD 300,000 Brunei Open which commenced at the Empire Hotel & Country Club, Jerudong on Thursday. 

At second place, one stroke behind the leaders at 65, was the trio of Terry Pilkadaris, Brad Kennedy (both Australia) and Ted Oh (Korea). Meanwhile defending champion Lin Wen-tang of Taipei was tied 13^th with 15 others after bringing in a card of three-under 68.

Nam, who has a dozen years of professional golf behind him began on the tenth tee and after two pars set the ball rolling with a birdie on the 12^th. A brilliant eagle on the par-five 15^th, was followed by a birdie on the very next hole. Making the turn at four-under after a blemish free outward journey, the 35-year old went on to stud his card with three more birdies on the fourth, sixth and seventh to shoot to the top of the leader-board.

Srisanga's round commenced on the first tee box. The 34 year old Thai birdied the fourth but dropped a shot on the very next hole. This however proved to be his only error of the day as the golfer then went on to birdie the eighth and ninth on his front-nine and the tenth, 11^th, 12^th, 13^th and 18^th post the lemon break.

Will all eyes trained on him, defending champion Wen-tang disappointed to an extent. The 34 year old made an early impact with a birdie on the 12^th but undid the good work with a bogey on the 17^th. On his return journey, Wen-tang posted birdies on the first, second and fifth.

Among the Indian challengers within the projected-cut territory earmarked at one-under 70, Amandeep Johl and Rahil Gangjee fired rounds of 69 to tie-29^th while Anirban Lahiri shot a 70 to tie 50^th.