Penang, Malaysia, May 3: Panuwat Muenlek of Thailand has put himself in a good position to clinch his fifth victory on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) after carding a four-under-par 68 on the weather-disrupted first round of the PGM Penang Championship.

The 33-year-old enjoyed a bogey-free opening round and carded four birdies to grab a share of fourth place. He is three shots behind the leader, Miguel Carballo of Argentina, at the RM225,000 (approximately US$58,000) event.

Malaysian Khor Kheng Wai and American Justin De Los Santos returned with matching 67s to share second place at the Bukit Jawi Golf Resort in Penang, Malaysia. 

Panuwat will match the record for the number of victories on the ADT if he tops the leaderboard at the end of the PGM Penang Championship. History is in his favour, as he won all four of his ADT titles in Malaysia.

Carballo, a two-time winner on the Web.com Tour, turned in a 31 before play was suspended on Wednesday due to bad weather and darkness. The Argentinean maintained his steady play on Thursday morning, carding two more birdies before signing for a bogey-free 65.

 "Yes, it was a great round for me. I played very well for my first nine holes yesterday and today, I was two-under-par for my remaining nine holes. I felt that all aspects of my game were solid, in particular, my chipping and putting," said Carballo.

"It is my first time here in Penang. The course set up is beautiful and I’m looking forward to playing in the rest of the rounds," he added.

De Los Santos, who turned professional in August last year after the U.S. Amateur Championship, shot an eagle and five birdies against two bogeys to card a 67, two shots behind Carballo.

“I was driving the ball pretty well and that helped me take advantage of the par-five holes. I’ve also putted pretty well, which was rewarding as I was working on my short game over the past few weeks,” said De Los Santos.  

“The Hill course at Bukit Jawi Golf Resort is longer compared to other courses on the ADT. I feel comfortable with my driver, and I took advantage of it,” he added.

All ADT events are afforded Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) status. The winner of each tournament receives a minimum of six OWGR points while the top-six players and ties earn points on a sliding scale.

The leading five players on the ADT Order of Merit at the end of the season will earn playing rights on the premier Asian Tour for the 2019 season.

Leading first round scores

65 – Miguel CARBALLO (ARG) 

67- Justin DE LOS SANTOS (USA) 67, KHOR Kheng Hwai (MAS) 67

68 – Panuwat MUENLEK (THA), Adam BLYTH (AUS), Ratchapol JANTAVARA (THA), Sam GILLIS (USA)

69 – Kiishaan THARMALINGAM (MAS), Donlaphatchai NIYOMCHON (THA), Lee SONG (KOR), CHOO Tze Huang (SGP), Mohammad WAFIYUDDIN (MAS), Sukree OTHMAN (MAS), Mathiam KEYSER (RSA), Andrew PARK (USA), Shohei HASEGAWA (JPN)

70 – Nirun SAE-UENG (THA), Hyukchul SHIN (KOR), Airil Rizman ZAHARI (MAS), Kwanchai TANNIN (THA), KOH Deng Shan (SGP), Brandon LAU Ka Kin (MAS), Lownaphum NAVISTHRIRA (THA), Martin DIVE (AUS), Nitithorn THIPPONG (THA), Shariffuddin ARIFFIN (MAS), Oscar ZETTERWALL (SWE), Malcolm KOKOCINSKI (SWE), Wilson CHOO (MAS), Phanuvich ONCHU (THA), Jeff BURTON (USA), Marc ONG (SGP)

71 – Sajawat SRIPRASIT (THA), Samarth DWIVEDI (IND), John Michael O’TOOLE (USA), Taewon SHIN (KOR), Naoki SEKITO (JPN), Shinichi MIZUNO (JPN), Amir NAZRIN (MAS), Yutaka ARAKI (JPN), M. Sasidaran (MAS)

72 – Tawan PHONGPHUN (THA), Kieran PRATT (AUS), R. Nachimuthu (MAS), Janne KASKE (FIN), Poom PATTAROPONG (THA), Sydney CHUNG (USA)

Ends.

About Asian Development Tour

The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading five players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.