At the US$2 million Black Mountain Championship in Hua Hin, Thailand, four players are tied for the lead after the first round, each carding an eight-under-par 64. Former professional golfer and CrossFit athlete Pierre-Henri Soero shares the top spot alongside Thailand’s CharngTai Sudsom, China’s Liu Yanwei, and Australia’s Todd Sinnott.
Soero, who last competed on the Asian Tour in 2011, showed he’s still capable of competing at a high level. The 41-year-old, now based in Florida as a personal trainer and six-time CrossFit Games competitor, made an eagle, seven birdies, and just one bogey. “It’s all mental,” Soero commented. “I’m in a good head space here, and if I play well, great. If not, it’s still a vacation with my wife.”
CharngTai and Liu, paired together, found a rhythm, each notching eight birdies. Both players are looking to improve their rankings on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit, with CharngTai currently in 85th and Liu in 109th. “Today, my drive was quite good, and my putting was sharp,” CharngTai said. Liu added, “I think we all fed off each other’s good shots, and none of us made a bogey today.”
Several other players are close behind after an eventful first day. Notable performances include Mexico’s Santiago De la Fuente, Thailand’s David Boriboonsub, and India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar, all shooting 65s. John Catlin, the leader of both the Asian Tour Order of Merit and The International Series rankings, posted a 69, leaving him tied for 58th.
The competition continues with players vying for a significant share of the prize money and valuable ranking points as the season nears its conclusion.
