Local favourite Quincy Quek kept the home flag flying high with an impressive bogey-free 68 in the opening round of the SMBC Singapore Open on Thursday.
Quek used his extensive knowledge of the Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club to eke out three birdies and he trails clubhouse leader Keith Horne of South Africa by just two shots.
“Tee to green I hit a lot of greens and gave myself some birdie opportunities and sank some putts to get the round going,” said Quek, who has good memories of the Singapore Open having been top amateur in the 2007 tournament, finishing a creditable 33rd.
“Growing up playing this course you learn to be really patient – it is really tough and you have to plan for every shot. It is quite different from other courses that we play on. So this course, you have to play shot by shot and stay in the present.
“This week I just wanted to come out here and play my best. I did quite well at Qualifying School (earlier this month) to get my Asian Tour card and it was quite a boost for me.
“I am pretty pleased with today’s round and looking forward to tomorrow’s round.”
No local player has won the Singapore Open in its 50-year history.
