Thai veteran storms ahead at Singapore golf

Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant stormed ahead with a nine-under-par 61 to take the clubhouse lead as the first round of the ISPS Handa Singapore Classic was suspended due to darkness on Thursday. Korean-American David Lipsky continued his fine run in his rookie season with a polished 63 to take second place, while Sam Cyr of the US returned with a 66 to take a share of third place with Malaysia's Shaaban Hussin. Taiwan's Lu Wei-chih, who recorded the event's first hole-in-one on the 13th at Orchid Country Club, is at four-under through 12 holes with American Jonathan Moore, who has nine holes to play at the $400,000 Asian Tour event. Thunderstorms in the afternoon forced two lengthy suspensions that stretched over three hours. As a result, all 78 players from the afternoon session could not complete their rounds. Thaworn, 45, told the Asian Tour: "There was never any pressure for me out there. When I stepped up to the tee today, I was already feeling very confident and I had a good feeling about my round today." "This course suits my game and I'm looking forward to the rest of the week," added the 12-time Asian Tour winner. Lipsky, 23, said he was enjoying his fine run. "It was a fun day indeed. Thaworn also played very well and we sort of fed off each other," he said. "After I made my second birdie on the 16th from off the green, I was basically cruising from there," added Lipsky, who will play alongside Thaworn in his opening two rounds. Although Cyr acknowledged that he had put in a good round, the 25-year-old American knows that he has to work on his short game to stand a chance of lifting his maiden title. Leading morning scores after a rain-disrupted round 1 of the ISPS Handa Singapore Classic (par 70): 61 - Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 63 - David Lipsky (USA) 66 - Sam Cyr (USA), Shaaban Hussin (MAS) 67 - Mithun Perera (SRI), Rikard Karlberg (SWE), Jbe Kruger (RSA), Kieran Pratt (AUS), Scott Barr (AUS), Baek Seuk-Hyun (KOR), Guy Woodman (ENG), Matthew Rosenfeld (USA), Quincy Quek (SIN), Unho Park (AUS)