Written by: Anjali Mishra

As golf's Asian Tour returned following a 20-month hiatus imposed by the epidemic, America's John Catlin seized a one-shot clubhouse lead in the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship on Thursday.

Eagles at the par five ninth and 15th holes helped the four-time tour winner to a first-round 65, seven under par, putting him one shot ahead of Taiwan's Chan Shih Chang.

The first shots on the Tour since the Malaysian Open in March 2020 were played in the $1 million tournament on the picturesque holiday island of Phuket.

Phachara Khongwatmai was disappointed when a bogey on the last hole dropped him to five under par, tied for third with Ian Snyman of South Africa and a stroke behind a share of second place. While Shiv Kapur from India is on rank 5th with a fine lead, other players from India who secured their position in top 25 on day 1 are Chikkaragappa S. , Honey Baisoya , Karandeep Kochchar , Viraj Madappa and Veer Ahlawat.

On the other hand as the championship is in Phuket, relatably Thai players are also doing good at their home ground and comes out as top scorers Sadom Kaewkanjana , Danthai Boonma , Raththee Sirithanakunsak and Tanpat Pichaikool  are in top 25 as per on the reports of day 1 leaderboard.