Prom, Karlberg share lead in Thailand

Bangkok: Thailand`s Prom Meesawat struck a seven-under-par 65 to grab a share of the first round lead with Sweden`s Rikard Karlberg at the season-ending King`s Cup on Thursday.

Taiwan`s Lin Wen-tang posted a 66 to trail the co-leaders by one stroke alongside three-time Asian Tour winner Angelo Que of the Philippines in the $1 million Asian Tour event at the Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin. Despite the gusty conditions in the morning, the 29-year-old Prom marked his card with two eagles, five birdies and two bogeys. "Actually, such conditions are not really new to me as I`ve played in similar conditions before. I had a good experience playing in Europe with the strong winds last year. They really helped me with my club selection which showed in my score today," said Prom. After coming close to winning his second Asian Tour title with two play-off defeats in the Philippines and Hong Kong late last year, Prom is upbeat about returning to the winner`s circle for the first time since 2006. The Thai, who hails from the coastal town of Hua Hin, also knows he needs nothing less than a win to earn his place with Team Asia at the inaugural EurAsia Cup in Malaysia in March. "I`ve already got those two play-off defeats out of my mind and I`ve been telling myself to concentrate on this week and the new season so that I can get my second win," said Prom, according to a report from the Asian Tour. Karlberg`s only blemish came at the par-four 15th after he double-bogeyed but seven birdies and one eagle kept the 27-year-old well positioned for his third win on the Tour. "It was so windy but I stayed in the game even though I had a double-bogey. I did well to finish off the round as I hit some great shots and holed many putts coming in," said the Swede. The tournament is the final event of the season on the Asian Tour calendar.