Song, Smyth tied for second after Round 1 at International Series Morocco
Among the various LIV Golf stars in the field, RangeGoats Golf Club captain Bubba Watson shot a four-under 69, while Korean Golf Club’s Doyeob Mun was tied 18th with a 70
Rabat, Morocco - Talented Thai star Pavit Tangkamolprasert, who finished runner-up to Australian Travis Smyth at International Series Japan earlier this year, reversed the position on the opening day of the US$2 million International Series Morocco presented by Visit Morocco.
Pavit shot a bogey-free eight-under par 65 to finish two ahead of Smyth, tied for second position alongside Korean Golf Club’s Younghan Song. Coincidentally, the Korean, who was bogey-free in his 67, was second in International Series Japan last year, and is looking to win for the first time on the Asian Tour.
Defending champion Scott Vincent, who has been filling in the past several LIV Golf events on HyFlyers GC, made a determined start to his campaign with a three-under 70.
Among the various LIV Golf stars in the field, RangeGoats Golf Club captain Bubba Watson shot a four-under 69, while Korean Golf Club’s Doyeob Mun was tied 18th with a 70.
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Smyth has won twice this year – International Series Japan and back home on the PGA Tour of Australasia – and spent a couple of fruitful weeks on LIV Golf filling in for the injured Paul Casey in Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers GC.
“First of all, I just love this golf course. It’s a place where I feel I can play well, so I arrive with good vibes straight away,” said Smyth, currently leading the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
“I love the challenge of having to shape the ball both ways and hit different trajectories. I enjoy moving the ball around and visualising different shots, and this course really suits that style of play. With the tree-lined fairways, it forces you to be creative, which I enjoy.
“I think winning in Japan earlier this year took a huge weight off my shoulders. Before that, I would come into International Series events knowing how important they were and probably put a bit too much pressure on myself.
“I’d be trying harder, maybe not sleeping as well, and feeling a little more stressed. Since that win, and then going on to play in Singapore and having some great experiences with Crushers GC in LIV Golf, I’ve felt much more relaxed. I feel like I’ve proven to myself that I can get the job done.”
(Photo courtesy of Asian Tour)
