Thailand boys share Lead with Japan as Toyota Junior Golf World Cup Begins

Thailand boys carded an opening round 8-under to tie with hosts Japan as the 33rd edition of the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup got underway at the Ishino Course, Chukyo Golf Club in Japan on Tuesday.

Thailand's boys hadn't made an appearance in the tournament since 2019, a hiatus during which the Thai girls made a swift rise to stamp their name on the trophy. Plenty of golf remains, but one round shows the Thais are someone to watch as a potential foil to Japan's quest for a third boys' title in the past four years.

"Our girls are really good," said Parin Sarasmut, whose 6-under-par 65 equaled Tuesday's individual best and lifted Thailand alongside the hosts after one round of the annual team showcase. "They've been able to give us some advice that's been really helpful."

Thailand and Japan shared the boys' lead at 8-under 134, though a bunched leaderboard finds eight of the 12 teams within five shots of the top at Chukyo Golf Club outside Nagoya.

Japan's pacesetter turned out to be neither of its returning stars, as Kotaro Ogawa's 66 made an immediate splash.

"They know I play very steady and can (take it) under par," Ogawa said. "They just expect me to play like I usually do."

Colombia's Tomas Restrepo, one of last year's co-medalists, matched Sarasmut's 65 to share the lead as he strives to become just the fourth boy to twice win individual honours.

Girls' Competition

Tuesday's leaderboard got a little more Asian flavor from Korea's girls, as Jimin Song and Seojin Park teamed to sprint out to a 10-under start and a two-shot advantage over Colombia.

Song, despite being a little wild off the tee, fired a 6-under 66 that left her sharing the individual lead with Japan's Anna Iwanaga. Park complimented her teammate with a 68 while also lamenting a couple of lapses.

"Just because of how the rounds went, we definitely could play better in the coming days," said Park. "We just need to not think (much) about this round and feel like we're starting at zero."

Colombia's girls were led by Valeria Rubio, who carded a bogey-free 67 in her first competitive round at Chukyo GC's Ishino course.

Japan was alone in third, three shots back at 7-under 137.

"We will have to put more into it and play better for the next three days," Iwanaga said. "But yes, I think we can (win the trophy)."

The tournament's 32nd edition got underway under mild conditions, with clouds keeping the sun from drying out a course dampened by weekend rains. Mild breezes presented enough challenge to keep tee shots in the fairway.

"I missed a lot of fairways, but the ball was still in play," Sarasmut said. "If you hit the ball from the rough, it can be tough to get it close to the pin. I just tried to get it on the green and play safe."

He managed his game well, hitting all 18 greens in regulation despite any trouble he found off the tee. He also managed to go the distance without a three-putt, resulting in a bogey-free debut round.

"I'm kind of surprised at no bogeys," he said. "That's a pretty good round, and I'm proud of what I was able to do."

Restrepo also went bogey-free, though Tuesday marked his eighth competitive round at Chukyo GC. A year ago, the Colombian talent shot all four rounds in the 60s to tie Japan's Taisei Nagasaki for medalist honours.

"I've been in a lot of positions where I know what happens," he said. "My first year here, I didn't hit it well off the tee, so I know the strategy of where to miss and where to go. I think that's a big advantage this week."

Nagasaki also is back with a shot at a second medalist honor, along with teammate and 2024 medalist Mao Matsuyama. Both opened with 68s, finding themselves playing a secondary role behind Ogawa.

"We've known each other since we were younger," Ogawa said. "They are extremely strong players, and I think we're the strongest team in the field."

Korea's girls, for all the nation's success at the professional level, are still seeking a first Junior World Cup title. They own three runner-up finishes, though none since 2018.

"If we just do what we do and be patient in every moment, we can produce good scores," Park said.

Song admits her tee shots sometimes put her in "a lot of difficult places," but she's learned to be a strong recovery player. One example came at Tuesday's fifth hole, where a wayward drive came to rest on the other side of a cart path, but she was able to get an approach on the edge of the green. From there, she drained the 40-foot birdie attempt.

"I was able to make the best of things," she said.

After a slow start, Iwanaga heated up with four birdies in her final seven holes. Inconsistent iron play, she said, was offset by a good putting day.

"I missed a 6-foot birdie putt on the first hole," she said, "but after that I was really good with my putting. I just didn't give myself as many chances as I could."

Rubio produced the day's highest birdie count with eight, but those were offset by three bogeys. Even so, she was confident in her performance in her debut round.

"I just think the work I've done in the two days here and two weeks before I came to this tournament is showing its results," she said. "I'm very happy with it."

The Toyota Junior Golf World Cup is the final stop of a process that began with 70 national teams entered in regional qualifiers across six continents. Uganda last played in the event three years ago when Joseph Reagan Akena (captain), Juma Abiti, Ibrahim Ssemakula, and Collin Matovu represented the nation.

BOYS TEAM STANDINGS

t1.  Japan                   134 (-8)
t1.  Thailand               134 (-8)
3.   South Africa         135 (-7)
4.   Canada                 136 (-6)
5.   Australia               138 (-4)
t6.  United States        139 (-3)
t6.  France                  139 (-3)
t6.  Colombia             139 (-3)
9.   Puerto Rico          141 (-1)
10. Czechia                 142 (E)
11. Argentina             146 (+4)
12. Kenya                   153 (+11)

GIRLS TEAM STANDINGS

 1.  Korea                     134 (-10)

2.  Colombia               136 (-8)

3.  Japan                     137 (-7)
4.  Spain                      138 (-6)
5.  United States        139 (-5)

6.  Canada                  140 (-4)

7.  Thailand                142 (-2)

8.  South Africa          144 (E)
9.  Australia                145 (+1)