Ayer Keroh (MELAKA): Hot prospect Gunn Charoenkul of Thailand justified his star billing with an opening five-under-par 67 to take the lead after the opening round of the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) ASEAN PGA Melaka Championship on Wednesday.

Gunn, who currently leads the ASEAN PGA Tour moneylist after victory in the season-opening Singha Esan Open, holds a three-stroke advantage over seven players at Ayer Keroh Country Club.

Domestic challengers Nicholas Fung, Airil Rizman Zahari, Iylia Jamil and Hans Jamil carded matching 70s to lie in a tie for of second, alongside Thai trio Somsak Khaopratum, Teerawat Poipong and Pravee Visalkit.

Gunn showed his worth over the tricky course with seven birdies offset by two bogeys. He birdied two out of the first three holes, shot three-under in a four-hole stretch from the seventh and finished with a flourish by collecting birdies on 17th and 18th.

“I hit the ball solidly throughout the round and have been doing so for some time this season. My iron shots were spot-on today and gave me good chances at birdie, which I took on a few holes with my putting being in good shape too,” said the 22-year-old Bangkok lad.

“However, the department of my game that needs to be worked on more,” he added, “is my mental approach. My father and a friend of his, who is a medical doctor, are helping me with that aspect of the game and it’s definitely helping.

“All I can do now is train hard and try to do better,” added the Thai, who turned pro in 2010 and has three professional titles to his belt.

Leading first round scores (Malaysian unless stated)
67 – Gunn Charoenkul (THA)
70 – Pravee Visalkit (THA), Nicholas Fung, Airil Rizman Zahari, Iylia Jamil, Somsak Khaopratum (THA), Teerawat Poipong (THA), Hans Jamil
71 – Lam Yu Shuen, Mohd Sukree Othman, Panuphol Pittayarat (THA), Supravee Phatam (THA)
72 – R. Nachimuthu, Jitti Sritanapol (THA), Sutijet Kooratanapisan (THA), M. Sasidaran, Shaifubari Muda