Thailand’s Warun Iaemgaew fired a superb seven-under-par 29 to take the first-round lead at the SINGHA-SAT ADT Hua Hin Championship 2026, while India’s teenage talent Kartik Singh sits second after an excellent five-under-par 31 on Wednesday.

The THB3 million event is being played at Royal Hua Hin Golf Course, Thailand’s oldest golf course celebrating its 100th anniversary, and is co-sanctioned by the Asian Development Tour and Thailand PGA Tour.

Warun mixed eight birdies with just one bogey and said his round exceeded expectations on one of the region’s most demanding layouts.

“Today was better than expected,” said the Thai, and pointed to his work off the tee as an example.

“My tee shots were good, which gave me opportunities for good approach shots and birdies. A good tee shot is the key here,” he said.

Warun also welcomed the chance for local players to compete in a co-sanctioned event.

“This is a good opportunity for Thai players to play on the ADT,” he said. “A win here would mean a lot to me and I’ll try my best to win here.”

Kartik Singh of India pictured in action during Round One of the Singha-SAT ADT Hua Hin Championship at Royal Hua Hin Golf Course on April 22, 2026. Picture courtesy PGA Thailand.

Just two shots back, 16-year-old Singh continued his rapid rise with seven birdies and two bogeys.

“I played pretty well today. I got off to a good start birdieing the first two holes and I was able to carry that momentum through my round.”

Singh, who turned professional late last year after a decorated amateur career, said the move into the paid ranks has sharpened his game.

“The transition has been really good. Playing as a professional is definitely a different experience playing with the seasoned pros.

“In the professional world everyone is so good, so you really need to be at your best to compete. I think that is pushing me to improve and play well.”

He believes limiting mistakes is the key difference at this level.

“At amateur level, even if you make a couple of mistakes, you can still get away with it. But here, all the other players are playing almost flawlessly, so to be at the top you need to make as few mistakes as possible.”

Singh added that securing promotion to the Asian Tour is one of his main goals this season.

Sharing third place on four-under-par 32 are Italy’s Michele Ortolani, Thailand’s Puwit Anupansuebsai, Thanakorn Thipayachan and Thanapol Charoensuk.

Michele Ortolani of Italy pictured in action during Round One of the Singha-SAT ADT Hua Hin Championship at Royal Hua Hin Golf Course on April 22, 2026. Picture courtesy PGA Thailand.

Ortolani mixed five birdies with a lone bogey at the last after a composed display.

“A little bit frustrated because I was bogey-free until the very last hole,” he said. “Overall I am very happy, but the bogey on the last wasn’t the best.”

The Italian, who has former ADT player Eduardo Lipparelli on the bag this season, said arriving early in Hua Hin had helped him understand the subtleties of the historic layout.

“This is a really tricky course because it is very dry, so the ball kicks unpredictably on the fairways.

“You always need to respect old courses. Give yourself chances to hit the greens, and then if you hole putts, you hole putts.”

Puwit took a more adventurous route to four under, combining six birdies and an eagle with four bogeys after starting on the 10th tee.

The highlight came on his second nine, where he played holes one through six in six under par.

“It was a little crazy but I just kind of let it happen,” said Puwit.

“I made a good birdie on two, then on three I hit a really good six-iron for my second shot, about 200 yards uphill, and made a 12-footer for eagle.”

He said the co-sanctioned event offers an important pathway for local players.

“The co-sanction itself is awesome, giving Thai players an opportunity to play at a higher level and have a shot at the Asian Tour,” he said.

Sharing seventh place, on three under par, are Jaeil Kim of Korea, Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh, Italy’s Gabriele de Barba and the Thai trio of Chanat Sakulpolphaisan, Weerawish Narkprachar and Warit Boonrod.

With the opening round complete, play resumes tomorrow with the first groups scheduled to tee off at 6.30am.