HK pair have their work cut out in hunt for Masters berth

Steven Lam Tsz-fung and Roderick Staunton led the Hong Kong challenge yesterday at the Asian Amateur Championship at Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, although the duo have their work cut out if they are to earn the coveted Masters berth awarded to the champion.

Lam, 16, and Staunton, 27, both carded first rounds of 71 over the Jack Nicklaus-designed course to lie in a share of 13th, six shots behind China's Han Ren, who fired a brilliant 65 to top the first-day leaderboard.

South Korea's Han Chang-won lies a shot back in second, with Mhark Fernando of the Philippines third after a 67. Tsim Sha Tsui-born Jason Hak Shun-yat, 15, who gained global attention at last year's UBS Hong Kong Open when he because the youngest player ever to make the cut at a European Tour event, slumped to a 76.

The inaugural tournament, a four-day strokeplay event devised by the Augusta National Golf Club in harness with the Royal & Ancient and the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, features the strongest field in the history of Asian amateur golf.

'I played really solid today, but didn't make enough putts,' said Lam, who outscored his playing partner, the David Leadbetter-trained Hu Mu of China, by a shot.

'But I'm not too worried. If I can get my putter working I know I can go lower tomorrow.'

Staunton, who started his round at the 10th hole, looked to have played his way out of contention by going out in 39 (three over par), but a flawless inward nine of four-under-par 32 lifted his spirits.

'I struggled a bit early on but managed to salvage something at the end,' said Staunton, a member of Hong Kong Golf Club. 'My golf has been more down than up in the past few weeks and I had very little expectation going into the event, but it was good to finish under par.'

The day, however, belonged to Han. The 21-year-old, who attends the University of Indiana, took advantage of soft conditions to reel off eight birdies over the first 17 holes. A bogey at the demanding par-four last took the edge off an otherwise perfect performance. But despite his position, the youngster is not getting ahead of himself.

'I'm trying not to think about [earning entry to] the Masters, as that will take my focus away,' said Han, who credited his display to working with a sports psychologist this year. 'I've still got three rounds to go, so it's still very early. I'm just trying to take each shot at a time.'

Dream ticket

Prize money at the 2010 US Masters will total: US$7.5m