Asian Tour: Jazz Janewattananond’s school holiday pays instant dividends at Malaysian Open
- Thai golfer fires 9-under-par 62 at The Mines Resort & Golf Club to sit on top of leaderboard alongside Veer Ahlawat
- Jazz credits off-season break and three weeks spent working on his game at BFG Korea
While everyone else was taking an extended break over Christmas, Jazz Janewattananond went back to school, determined not to be left further behind as his Asian Tour colleagues continued to pick up trophies and accolades.
The hard work paid instance dividends on Thursday, with the 28-year-old shooting a nine-under-par 62 in the opening round of the Malaysian Open.
His score was matched by India’s Veer Ahlawat, while Canada’s Richard T Lee carded a 63, and Malaysians Gavin Green and Khavish Varadan came in with 64s at The Mines Resort & Golf Club.
Jazz, who has seven Asian Tour wins to his name, said a good off-season had been key to his hot start, which included seven birdies and an eagle at the par-5 11th, when he sank his putt from off the green.
“A long break seems to have done me some good,” the Thai professional said. “I went to Korea to work with new coaches, BFG Korea – that’s a golf school. I have just been working on my balance, getting my balance back. I was with them for three weeks.
“I just want to be playing well this year. I don’t want a repeat of last year or the year before. I just want to be teeing up and feeling confident. I want to be in contention, I don’t like fighting to make the cuts, and I don’t like being left behind and not playing for anything.”