Hong Kong: Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing and Mardan Mamat spearheaded the Asian charge when they opened with matching four-under-par 66s to stay two shots back of first round leader David Higgins of Ireland at the US$1.3million Hong Kong Open on Thursday.

The Singapore duo were among seven players that also included India’s Sujjan Singh and Thailand’s Prom Meesawat bunched in tied-third place at the Hong Kong Golf Club.

In one of the most unlikely twists to the opening day of the Hong Kong Open, Lam who was the second reserve for the storied championship found himself stepping up to the tee after Korean-American Anthony Kang decided to give up his spot to become a caddie for Singapore-based Unho Park of Australia.

Finland’s Joonas Granberg was earlier disqualified as he missed his tee time due to his caddie showing up on the wrong tee.

Lam rode his luck and even made the best of his opportunity to be among the early pacesetters at the Hong Kong Open, which is celebrating its 55th anniversary.


“You probably couldn't have scripted this any better. And to get paired together (with Kang), that was just hilarious. When I got a call to go to the 11th tee, I just ran out there. I had an extra club which I took out before I teed off. I had a bunch of old golf balls, no yardage book, no caddie. But it worked out pretty well in the end for me,” said Lam

Mardan meanwhile continued to put in another assured performance as he seeks his fourth win on the region’s premier Tour.

“I'm very pleased with my round today. I played very solid from tee to green and I just need to avoid making silly mistakes. If I can do that, I believe I stand a good chance this week,” said Mardan.