Cuello joint leader, fires 66

Filipino Rodrigo Cuello fired a six-under par 66 Thursday to gain a share of the lead at the start of the Thailand Open at the Springfield Royal Country Club in Cha-am, Thailand.

Cuello, who finished joint ninth in last week’s Philippine Open won by compatriot Gerald Rosales, carded nines of 33-33 to tie local star Thongchai Jaidee and Daisuke Maruyama of Japan for a one-shot lead over Chawalit Plaphol of Thailand, Des Terblanche of South Africa and Yeh Wei-Tze of Taiwan.

Rosales, playing with renewed confidence following his breakthrough win in the RP Open, his first as a pro, opened up with a 70, the same score turned in by Danny Zarate, Aaron Meeks of the US, Nam Young-Woo of Korea, Sawon Kaewwiset of Thailand, Shigeki Tateno of Japan, Stephen Lindskog of Sweden and Simon Yates of Scotland.

Jaidee, winner of the Korean Open, turned professional last year and tasted victory for the first time at the Korean Open in September, where he holed a sensational 40-foot putt on the final hole to win.

"My win in Korea has made me much stronger. It has changed me, and made me more confident. I have a good chance this week," the 31-year-old Jaidee said.

Robert Pactolerin, in one of his rare appearances in the Asian PGA Tour, shot a 75 to trail the leaders by nine strokes.

Meanwhile, the Philippine tandem of Mary Grace Estuesta and Jennifer Rosales struggled in the foursomes and found themselves last in a field of 16 with a 78 yesterday at the start of the Women’s World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Swedish siblings Annika and Charlotta Sorenstam fired a five-under 67 on seven birdies to take a one-stroke lead over Australia in a superb start in this $1 million inaugural tournament at the Mines Resort and Golf Club.

Annika said she was very pleased with the result as playing foursomes can be quite tricky.

"I think we got off to a great start. We made seven birdies which is phenomenal in an alternate shot format. I am very pleased with the way I played and I think Charlotta played some outstanding golf," she said.

The same could not be said of Estuesta and Rosales, who limped home with bogeys on a course that was a bit wet due to a steady drizzle. Both, however, are expected to bounce back in the Four Ball Better Ball play today with the singles format to be played Sunday. The winners will receive $200,000.

Australia, led by world number one Karrie Webb and teammate Racher Heterington, were close on the heels of the Swedish team when they carded a solid four-under 68.

The Australians’ round consisted of seven birdies and three bogeys. They collected birdies on the first, third, fourth, sixth, ninth, 11th and 16th holes and hit bogeys on the eighth, 12th and 18th.

Webb praised her partner’s performance and said she was satisfied with the first day score.

"I did not putt that well and fortunately Rachel had her putts coming in," she said.

"We made just three bogeys today and that is okay for a Foursomes but there is still a lot of golf left to play and anything can happen. Overall it’s a good start for us and we are quite confident."

Hetherington added: "Anytime you shoot a four-under in a Foursomes, it’s a good start to the tournament. A one-shot lead isn’t much at all and we have two rounds to go but we both feel confident with this start."

The Scottish pair of Janice Moodie and Catriona Matthew shot a one-under par 71 to finish third.

Five countries – Japan, Colombia, Peru, Taipei and South Korea – bunched in joint fourth place at 72.

It was a disappointing start for both the United States and England, both in joint ninth position with Canada.

The US pair of Meg Mallon and Juli Inkster hit double bogeys on the third and seventh holes, and bogeys on holes number four and the 18th.

They collected birdies on the first, eighth, ninth, 11th and 17th holes for their one-over par 73.

"It is a hard format and neither of us felt very comfortable today and it showed a bit," Mallon said. "We hit 13 greens and had a lot of opportunities and didn’t make them. Hopefully we will do so in the next two days."

New Zealand finished their opening roound with a three-over 75 to take 12th place while Malaysia was next with 76.

France and Italy were tied at 77 in joint 14th place, while the Philippines came up last with 78.

67 - Annika Sorenstam, Charlotta Sorenstam (Swe)

68 - Karrie Webb, Rachel Hetherington (Aus)

71 - Janice Moodie, Catriona Matthew (Sco)

72 - Hiromi Kobayashi, Yuri Fudo (Jpn) Marisa Baena, Cristina Baena (am) (Col) Jenny Lidback, Alicia Dibos (Per) Lin Yu-ping, Wei Yun-jye (Tpe) Lee Sun-hee, Park So-young (Kor)

73 - Laura Davies, Trish Johnson (Eng) Meg Mallon, Juli Inkster (USA) Lorie Kane, Anna-Jane Eathorne (Can)

75 - Marnie McGuire, Lynette Brooky (Nzl)

76 - Lim Siew Ai, Lim Ai Lian (am) (Mas)

77 - Marine Monnet, Patricia Lebouc (Fra) Silvia Cavalleri, Giulia Sergas (Ita)

78 - Jennifer Rosales, Mary Grace Estuesta (Phi)