Higa starts Thai campaign with 70 as Kawamura spearheads Japanese challenge

A pair of late bogeys has put paid to Kazuki Higa's hopes of a flying start at the DP World Tour's Thailand Classic as he settled for an opening two-under-par 70 on Thursday.

The reigning JGTO prize money king enjoyed a brilliant start when recorded four birdies on the number two, three, nine and 11 to reach four-under after 11 holes at the Amata Spring Country Club in Chonburi.

However, Higa's flawless run eventually came to an end after bogeying the par-four 14th and par-three 17th to finish in a share of 53rd and six shots back of joint leaders Sami Valimaki of Finland and Martin Simonsen of Denmark.

"I was aiming for a six-under today, but I could not do it because I find it difficult to read the greens," said Higa.

"I started so well, so it's a shame to end the day with two bogeys.

"But it's the first time I'm playing on on this course. The greens were hard last week, it's the total opposite this time.

"I think this week we're going to have many low scores."

The best-placed Japanese was Masahiro Kawamura, who shot a solid 68 to be tied for 17th.

Kawamura, the 2013 Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open champion, has been competing full-time on the DP World Tour since 2019.

Taiga Semikawa and last week's Asian Tour's International Series Oman winner Takumi Kanaya will have work cut out for them in the second round after carding matching 72 for tied 83rd spot