Thailand Classic - Day one digest

Everything you need to know from Thursday's opening round at Amata Spring Country Club.

Välimäki kept his foot on the gas while Aphibarnrat shone on home soil on day one of the 2023 Thailand Classic.

Here is everything you need to know from Thursday's opening round at Amata Spring Country Club.

Paul lands two eagles

Yannik Paul got off to a strong start on day one, following up a birdie at the first with an eagle on the par-five second. And after picking up another shot at the fourth, the German holed his long-range effort from just off the seventh green for a second eagle of the day. He signed for an opening 65 to sit one shot off the first-round lead.

Floating green the star of the show

The 17th at Amata Spring Country Club is one of the most unusual holes in world golf, with the floating green a short boat trip away from the tee. The daunting par three didn't prove too scary on Thursday, though, as 21 players made a birdie there.

Välimäki's fantastic form continues

Fresh from his second-place finish in Singapore last week, Sami Välimäki fired eight birdies and no bogeys in a flawless 64 on day one in Thailand. Having opened his round with a hat-trick of gains from the first, the Finn made two more at the seventh and eighth to turn in 31. Further birdies at the 11th, 12th and 15th took Välimäki to eight under and handed him a share of the first-round lead with Martin Simonsen.

Aphibarnrat's brave line pays off

Home hero Kiradech Aphibarnrat judged his tee-shot to perfection at the 12th, booming it over the water to lay the foundations for a birdie there. But it didn't always look like it was going to find dry land...