Fraser joins 4-way tie in Thailand golf

Australia's Marcus Fraser was among a quartet of players sharing the lead in blustery conditions after the opening round of the Thailand Golf Championship at the Amata Spring Country Club on Thursday.
Joining Fraser at the top of the leaderboard after shooting a three-under 69 was Thailand's Thanyakon Khrongpha, Canada's Richard T. Lee and Lu Wei-chih from Taiwan.
It was a difficult day for the entire field, which struggled with gusts of wind and an unforgiving rough.
England's Lee Westwood led a trio of players one shot behind in joint fifth place after firing 70. Matching the English star were Scott Hend of Australia and Thailand's Tirawat Kaewsiribandit.
A host of players were a further stroke behind in joint eighth place after shooting 71. Among them was defending champion Sergio Garcia and US Open winner Martin Kaymer.
One of the pre-tournament favourites, two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson, struggled with a four-over 76, including three straight bogeys on the front nine.
Fraser, with five birdies and two bogeys, was particularly pleased with his performance after coming back from a wrist injury that has kept him out of golf for a year.
"It was pretty tough out there," he said. "That rough is penal."
The Australian joined the leaders in spectacular fashion on the 18th hole, chipping in from a distance.
"That was a nice way to finish the round," he said.
Khrongpha, who was runner-up to Padraig Harrington at the recent Indonesian Open, put on an excellent display with four birdies and one bogey.
"I am in good form and have been playing well for some time now," said the 24-year old, who is an exciting prospect for Thai golf.
"It was tough conditions with the strong winds," he added. "But I hit good drives and putted very well."
Westwood, who won the tournament in 2011, said the course was a stiffer challenge this time around.
"It's much tougher this year. If you find the rough you almost certainly drop a shot."
However, he was pleased with his performance.
"I played pretty solid," he said.
Garcia said he was relatively happy with his 71.
"With the windy conditions the course was much tougher than before," Garcia said. "I tried to minimise mistakes."
The Spaniard was full of praise for his caddie, former tennis star Juan Carlos Ferrero.
"He did good today. He kept calm and confident throughout the day. It was nice."
Kaymer was another player relieved to be under par.
"It was a tough day at the office," Kaymer said. "The wind made it very difficult. Anything under par is a good score."
Kaymer, who hadn't played the Amata Spring course before this week, said he was still adapting to the layout.
"It took me a little while to get used to the greens. I will also have to make adjustments to my tee shots as I haven't got my yardages quite right."
Local favourite, veteran Thongchai Jaidee, played steadily but had to settle for an even-par 72.
Source: AFP