JGTO Abroad: Hoshino opens with solid 68 at Porsche Singapore Classic

Rikuya Hoshino endured an eventful outward nine en route to posting a four-under-par 68 as he kickstarted his Porsche Singapore Classic campaign, finding himself in a tie for 21st place.

Hoshino, aiming for a second title following his triumph at the Qatar Masters last month, began the day steadily from the 10th tee, securing two birdies in the first four holes to turn in 35 at Laguna National Golf Resort Club.

He then embarked on a birdie spree, gaining four successive shots from hole number one to cruise to six-under for the day.

Unfortunately, he couldn't maintain the momentum, conceding bogeys on three of his last four holes.

However, another gain on number seven helped in damage control, keeping him within sight of the trio of leaders - Malaysia's Gavin Green, England's Jordan Smith, and Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat - sitting just four shots off the pace.

Masahiro Kawamura, a seasoned campaigner on the DP World Tour, carded a 71 to be tied for 64th place, while Keita Nakajima and Satoshi Kodaira have their work cut out for them to make the halfway cut.

Nakajima managed only a 73 for T94, while Kodaira fared worse with a 75, placing him at a lowly 115th.