The duo lead from Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Jazz Janewattananond who fired 65s at Black Mountain Golf Club, in Hua Hin.

Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho, American Turk Pettit, Andrew Dodt from Australia, Korean Bio Kim and Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong, Danthai Boonma, Ekpharit Wu, and Settee Prakongvech, all came in with 66s.

The $2 million event is the fifth event of the season on the Asian Tour, and third International Series tournament.

Last year Tabuena endured an uncharacteristically poor season and only just retained his Tour card. The top 70 on the Asian Tour Order of Merit kept their cards and Tabuena finished 70th, exactly $71.89 ahead of none other than Kemmer, in 71st position.

But he has returned with a vengeance this year and finished in the top 15 in his last two events on Tour, the International Series tournaments in Oman and Qatar.

“It is a bit of a long story, I didn’t play too well last year,” said the 28-year-old.

“I had some time off, but I was lucky enough to keep my card by about 50 dollars, I was the last person to get in, and I told myself that is never going to happen again.

“I worked really hard during the off season, and I guess it is showing a bit. I finished 13th in Oman and top 10 in Qatar. The game has been there, even back home. I am just glad it’s coming together.”

He made four birdies on each nine including one on the final hole.

He added: “The course is pretty gettable in the morning. I was lucky enough to get off to a hot start. I was four under after six. I actually left a couple of putts out there, mis-read two of them. I was lucky enough to finish with a birdie on the last. Can’t complain shooting 64.”

The Filipino’s fine round could not have come at a better time as he was watched all the way by his family.

“My whole family is here, finally, it has been a few years. It’s just been my wife for the past couple of tournaments, but I am very, very grateful to have my dad here, my mum, brother and sister,” said Tabuena, who last victory came in 2018 at the Queen’s Cup, also here in Thailand.

Kemmer made up for not keeping his card via the Merit list by earning it through a top 10 finish on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit.

“Kind of a slow start, got a lot of chances and took a while to figure out the greens,” said Kemmer, who played the back nine in six-under 30 which included a three putt for par on 18.

“I turned in two-under and then started hitting my wedges pretty close, a bunch of them within four or five feet, that took some of the guess work out of the greens.

“I will try and do better tomorrow, keep swinging aggressively and maybe learn a little bit more about the greens and make even more putts.”

The post International Series Thailand: Tabuena and Kemmer shoot 64s to lead at Black Mountain appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

With no access to the expensive caged vehicles that are commonplace on Middle East ranges, the ball pickers in this video from Kevin Toole have had to get creative with their own armoured outfits that resemble flimsy shower cubicles:

Check it out:

Next time you think your job is tough , dangerous and boring , spare a thought for this guy #golf#manila pic.twitter.com/N7drFZxCMw

— Kevin Toole (@Kjt5Toole) March 31, 2018

We’re not proud to admit we’ve had a cheeky pop or two at the local range guys encased in wire but these workers in Manila genuinely deserve danger money. Those shower curtains certainly don’t appear to offer great protection, especially not that close to the action.

As Toole says, the next time you think your job is tough, dangerous or boring, think again.

The post The most dangerous job in golf is comedy gold…and just a little cringe worthy appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.