Thailand’s Thitiphun Chuayprakong eclipsed the stars with a flying seven-under-par 64 to snatch the first round lead at the US$1 million Venetian Macao Open on Thursday.

The 23-year-old Thitiphun, who is seeking a first win on the Asian Tour, stormed home in 29 following a brilliant round which included eight birdies at the Macau Golf and Country Club.

Young Korean Jeunghun Wang and Bangladeshi Siddikur Rahman shot 65s to trail by one while title holder Anirban Lahiri of India and 2013 champion Scott Hend of Australia were amongst those bunched on 66.

Thai ace Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who broke into the world’s top-50 for the first time in his career this week, battled to a 68 while countryman Thongchai Jaidee, who along with Lahiri had featured in the Presidents Cup last week, carded a 71. South African Ernie Els carded a disappointing 74.

The day belonged to Thitiphun, who needed only 21 putts to put himself atop the leaderboard.

“Today is a lucky day. I didn’t hit it good with my tee shots but I had a good short game. I could make a lot of birdies. This is a great round for me. I’m happy and feel fantastic with a 29 coming in,” said Thitiphun.

Such was his form with the short stick that he nearly holed out on his last hole, at the ninth, by sending a wedge shot from 91 yards out which found the cup but the ball bounced out. He converted the birdie from 10 feet.

“Last hole, my second shot came back out but I still can make birdie. I have worked a lot with my putting since last year, so it’s working now. The greens are very fast. But I can have a good feel.”

It is a case of “beware the injured golfer” as two-time Asian Tour winner Siddikur enjoyed a bogey-free card to lie one back. He has to endure pain in the lower back due to a pinched nerve but with no expectation at all, Siddikur rose to the occasion.

“I set my mind to take it easy and to protect my back. I have lost about 10 yards in my driving and I’m already a short hitter! But if I can putt like today, it’s okay. I’m happy as after a long time, I had a bogey free round,” said the 30-year-old.

Following his Presidents Cup debut where he was disappointed to not deliver a point for the Internationals, Lahiri bounced back in style with a five-birdie round to lie two back of the leader.

“It’s back to the usual I guess,” said the current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader. “I think it was a solid round of golf. I misread a few. Hopefully I can make those six or eight footers through the rest of the week.”

Hend, who was runner-up to Lahiri last year, is now 37-under-par through his last nine rounds at the challenging Macau course. “The first few times I came here, I just didn’t want to come back as it killed me,” he reflected.

“But we’ve seem to found a way to play the course, where to hit it, what to do, and when to be aggressive I’m normally the sort of guy who will shoot seven birdies and throws in a double and a couple of bogeys. This means I’ve played some solid golf which is positive.”

The Venetian Macao Open is organised by the Macao Sport Development Board of Macao SAR Government and the Golf Association of Macau. Sanctioned by the latter and the Asian Tour, The Venetian® Macao is supporting the iconic event as title sponsor for the fourth successive year.

For more details on the Venetian Macao Open, please visit: www.thevenetianmacaoopen.com.