The 66th-ranked Thai, who reached a personal-best third round at Melbourne Park last year as a qualifier, holds a 1-1 head-to-head record with the Australian, who has also never progressed beyond round three at her home Major.

Luksika beat Barty at Wimbledon three years ago but the Australian got her revenge in Strasbourg last year, winning in three sets.

The two-time Asian Tour winner produced six birdies plus an eagle on the fifth hole to stay a shot ahead of fellow Thai Sorachut Hansapiban, Briton Steve Lewton and Finland’s Janne Kaske.

Two shots behind the lead were Thai No 1 Kiradech Aphibarnrat, tour rookie Sadom Kaewkanjana and his SEA Games teammates Kosuke Hamamoto and Witchayanon Chothirunrungreung.

“I like this course and it suits my game. Every time I come here, I enjoy the weather and the views of the course,” said the two-time Asian Tour winner.

Jazz birdied the second hole before drilling in a 15-footer for eagle on hole five. He grabbed birdies on holes seven and eight for an outward 30.

“I hit a five-wood to about 15-feet and then holed that putt for eagle. It really gave me confidence going into the rest of the round. Everything just worked great for me today,” added Jazz.

The young Thai relished the opportunity to play with his mentor Thongchai Jaidee in the first round, since they last played together on the Asian Tour in November.

“The last time I played with Thongchai I missed the cut in Hong Kong (Asian Tour), but this time I am playing with him again my game feels so much better. I’m listening to the advice he’s telling me and it’s all working out,” added Jazz, who carded three more birdies in the back nine for an inward 33.

Lewton, a one-time Asian Tour winner, marked his card with one eagle, six birdies and one bogey. He credited his low round to the hard work he put in over the off season in which he spent three weeks back in England working on his game.

“It feels great knowing that the work I’ve done over break is paying off. I had a slow start with a bogey on the first but bounced back with an eagle from 180 yards and that turned things around.

“I didn’t finish as well as I would’ve liked because I three-putted from 25 feet on the last hole. But overall a really great round to start the year,” added the Englishman.

The 28-year-old Sorachut also expressed his delight at starting the season on a good note with a personal-best score of 64.

“I made an eagle on the very last hole which was a nice way to end a great round. The ball took a backspin into the hole from 98 yards in and I didn’t expect it,” said Sorachut, who signed for a bogey-free round with five birdies and an eagle.

Six players take tied-fifth on 65, including Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat, American Johannes Veerman and South Africa’s Mathiam Keyser. Defending Champion Namchok Tantipokhakul returned with a 68 to sit in tied-39th.

The Boonchu Ruangkit Championship which is jointly sanctioned by the All Thailand Golf Tour (ATGT), will be celebrating its fifth edition this year. The winner is projected to earn 10 Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, while the top-six players and ties earn points on a sliding scale.

The leading seven players on the ADT Order of Merit at the end of the season will earn playing rights on the premier Asian Tour for the 2020 season.

Leading first round scores:

63 – Jazz Janewattananond

64 – Sorachut Hansapiban , Steve Lewton , Janne Kaske

65 – Sadom Kaewkanjana , Witchayanon Chothirunrungrueng , Johannes Veerman , Kosuke Hamamoto , Mathiam Keyser , Kiradech Aphibarnrat

66 – Blake Snyder , Ye Htet Aung , Zaw Moe , Casey O’Toole , Poom Saksansin , Pavit Tangkamolprasert , Itthipat Buranatanyarat , Kwanchai Tannin , Sakchai Sirimaya , Trevor Simsby , Brett Munson , Suttijet Kooratanapisan , Chapchai Nirat , Prom Meesawat , Seungjae Maeng

Under huge pressure from the disastrous 1-4 defeat to India on Sunday, Thailand needed a win to stay in contention in the group stage and they succeeded with a kick from the talented Chanathip Songkrasin in the 59^th minute, through the assistance by right back Tristan Do.

The Kingdom, now under the supervision of caretaker coach Sirisak Yodyadthai, and India have three points each  in the group, will face a daunting task next agaist the United Arab Emirates on Monday in the last game. Bahrain and UAE have one point each.

Only top two from each group and four best third placed teams will move into the round of 16.

On Sunday Thailand played below par and fell to India for the fisrt time in 32 years. Rajevac was fired seven hours after the defeat.

Radulovic said Chinese referee Ma Ning had ruined Lebanon’s chances by ruling out a first-half goal which would have put them 1-0 up against the 2022 World Cup hosts.

Qatar eventually won the Group E game 2-0 after second-half goals from Bassam Al-Rawi and Almoez Ali, leaving Lebanon waiting for their first ever Asian Cup win.

“It’s difficult to talk after such a game because I teach my team to play 11 against 11 players, but (this was) 11 against 12 or 13, meaning the referees,” fumed the Montenegrin.

“When you play… perfect, tactically disciplined, you score 1-0 and they steal our goal, it’s very difficult to continue after that,” he added.

Ali Hamam’s volley on 39 minutes was ruled out for a shove by Lebanon’s George Felix Melki, a decision that enraged the animated Radulovic on the touchline.

Qatar finally got their breakthrough 20 minutes into the second half from a free-kick just outside the box which was given for Hassan Maatouk’s handball.

Radulovic claimed the officiating was “not 50-50”, saying that Qatar committed “more than 20 fouls” but did not receive any yellow cards.

“We played textbook football but we’re a poor country, we don’t have a budget like Qatar and you can’t compare with them on this,” Radulovic said.

“When they cancelled the goal, my players lost concentration, they lost confidence, they saw what happened and it was very difficult after that to continue with such a game,” he added.

“They broke our morale and our confidence.”

However, Qatar coach Felix Sanchez said he had no complaints about the officiating and that he agreed with the decision to disallow Lebanon’s goal.

“I think the goal was a foul. I saw the replay on TV… and I agree with (the officials),” said the Spaniard.

Uzbekistan left it late before seeing off Oman 2-1 but it was four-time champions Japan who had the biggest scare as they had to come from behind from a team ranked 127th in the world.

Arslan Amanov’s first-half rocket raised the prospect of a titanic upset by Turkmenistan but Osako’s brace restored order before Ritsu Doan appeared to make the game safe.

However, Ahmet Atayev buried a penalty 11 minutes from time before Japan survived to win 3-2, a further reminder that the big teams have not had it all their own way at this Asian Cup.

“The first match is always a bit special and we expected a battle,” said Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu, who was relieved to get off to a winning start in Group F.

“Obviously we’re happy to get the three points but we have a lot of things to work on for the next game.”

Earlier in the tournament’s opening group games, defending champions Australia were shocked 1-0 by Jordan, South Korea laboured to a 1-0 win over the Philippines and China needed an own goal to spark a 2-1 comeback win against Kyrgyzstan.

The Blue Samurai have arguably the best pedigree in the competition after reaching the last 16 of last year’s World Cup, and were not expected to be troubled by Turkmenistan.

But Turkmen captain Amanov put the heavy underdogs ahead after 26 minutes in Abu Dhabi, unleashing a ferocious long-range drive that arrowed into the top corner.

– Gulf showdown –

Osako produced a smart turn and finish inside the box to equalise for Japan 10 minutes into the second half after sustained pressure from the former champions.

The Werder Bremen striker put Japan in front four minutes later, tapping into an empty net, and Doan added a deflected third after 70 minutes but Atayev smashed in a penalty nine minutes later to ensure more anxious moments for the Japanese.

In Wednesday’s other Group F fixture, in Sharjah, Eldor Shomurodov was the hero for Uzbekistan as he struck four minutes from time to grab a 2-1 win.

Shanghai SIPG midfielder Odil Ahmedov fired the White Wolves ahead on 34 minutes with a low free kick, before Oman’s Muhsen Al-Ghassani levelled midway through the second half.

But as full time loomed, Shomurodov shrugged off the attentions of two defenders and beat goalkeeper Faiz Al-Rushaidi at his near post to clinch victory.

Elsewhere, Qatar’s campaign in Group E opened under the shadow of the Gulf showdown that has left them blockaded and shunned by their neighbours, including Asian Cup hosts UAE, for more than 18 months.

Near the end of a tepid opening half in Al Ain, Lebanon’s Ali Hamam thought he had scored with the game’s first shot on target — only for his volley to be ruled out for a foul.

The pace quickened in the second period and the breakthrough came on 65 minutes, when Bassam Al-Rawi swept a curling free kick over the wall and past a diving Mehdi Kahlil.

Substitute defender Abdelkarim Hassan, the 2018 Asian player of the year, was causing problems down the left and it was his break that created Qatar’s second when Almoez Ali gobbled up a rebound with 11 minutes on the clock.

It was a welcome win for Qatar, who as well as contending with the Gulf blockade are also desperate for a good showing before their next major tournament — the 2022 World Cup on home soil.

The 21-year-old Bangkokian fired a total nine under-par-135 (70, 65) to beat Pavarisa Yoktuan by four strokes and get another chance to compete in the 70-player field at a tournament which gives priority to top 60 money list players.

Benyapa admitted she had almost lost hope after being four over par after just seven holes on the first day but support from her caddy Purilarp Euammongkol inspired her to claw her way back.

Winnie Heng, Vice President and Managing Director of IMG Thailand,  Benyapa Niphatsophon, and Pitak Pruittisarikorn, Chief Operating Officer of Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

“My caddy is also a pro golfer so he knew how to encourage me. So I tried harder and played well from then on,” said Benyapa, who will join world No 1 Ariya Jutanugarn, her sister Moriya, Pornanong Phatlum and Thidapa Suwannapura in Thailand’s biggest golf event.

It will be played from February 21 to 24 at the same Siam Country Club course.

“I hope that winning here today will give me an advantage when I return for the home LPGA event. I will have Purilarp carry the bag for me again – maybe even for the whole year,” added Benyapa who will make her second attempt in the event after finishing inside top 50 last year.

Her best result on the US-based LPGA tour was a tie for sixth in Portland, Oregon, last August.

Apart from the top 60 money earners, 10 will come from sponsor invites. Three have also gone to the country’s rising stars – Atthaya Thitikul, and two LPGA members Pajaree Anannarukarn and Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras, member of the winning Thailand’s Amata Friendship Cup team last month.

A dismal opening-game 4-1 defeat by India led to the sacking of coach Milovan Rajevac and cast the War Elephants as rank outsiders to progress to the knockouts.

However, Thitipan, 25, nicknamed New, believes his teammates’ confidence has not been shaken as they have the opportunity to bounce back against Bahrain this evening (6pm Thailand time) and against hosts the United Arab Emirates next Monday. Today’s game is being shown live on Channel 7 and Fox Sports HD.

“We all know our duties and the target that lies ahead,” said the Bangkok Glass player, who has netted five times for his country since earning the first of his 24 caps six years ago. “We will maximise our efforts to win points from the remaining games.”

The top two teams in each of the six groups, plus the four best third-placed teams will advance to the round of 16 so the generous format means only eight nations out of 24 will go home early.

To progress, the War Elephants will need at least four points out of a possible six – a win and a draw – in the next two matches and Thitipan says there’s every reason to be optimistic.

“Our situation is not so bad as there are still two games left,” he said. “I believe that if things go our way and our players play to their potential, we can be competitive with both Bahrain and the UAE. We will work hard in order to move towards the right direction.”

Thitipan said he had watched the 1-1 draw between Bahrain and the UAE on Saturday and it made him realise the size of the task facing Thailand this evening.

“They [Bahrain] are very tough and almost beat the UAE. We need to study their strengths and weaknesses thoroughly. However, there’s nothing to lose at this point. We really need the three points as well [as Bahrain],” he added.

Meanwhile Thai FA president Somyot Poompanmoung says the next full-time national coach could be either a Thai or a foreigner.

Rajevac’s former assistant, Sirisak Yodyadthai, has been appointed interim coach for the rest of the Asian Cup.

“The new coach must be a qualified person who is willing to work and comply with the requirements of the Thai FA,” Somyot said.

World No 14 Nitchaon had to adjust her game to suit the ventilation at the new venue to subdue underdog Lin Ying Chun of Taiwan 21-12 21-15.

“The challenging thing was the draught [from the air-conditioning] but instead of getting upset, I tried to make use of it with some adjustments on my shots and serves. I really did some homework on how to deal with it,” said the 27-year-old from Phuket.

After three years at the Supachalasai National Stadium, the BWF World Super 300 series event has been moved to Hua Mark for the first time due to that venue’s better facilities.

“I was playing up to my standard and got myself out of trouble several times at this court for the first time. This is such a way to start my season,” added the top seed who is brimming with confidence about her title defence after working with new coach Agus Dwi Santosa.

“Since working with him, my confidence level growing. He keeps telling me to believe in myself, that I can do it again this year,” she said.

While Nitchaon moved forward, it was the other way round for the Kingdom’s No 1 men’s singles player Kantaphon Wangcharoen – the world No 15 was knocked out by fellow Thai Sitthikom Thamasin 17-21 21-23 in a rematch of last year’s National Championship final.

Sitthikom Thamasin

“I beat him before so I knew I had to finish the points fast. Now I hope to reach the quarter-finals,” said Sitthikom, a 23-year-old former national Asian Games player.

In the highly anticipated showdown between two-time Olympic champion Lin Da of China and two-time World Junior champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn, the teenager showed plenty of guts before succumbing 21-14 11-21 21-12.

Lin Dan 

“I learned a lot from today, especially about the physical condition which I need to improve. Lin Dan is stronger in the attacks and defensive skills,” said the 18-year-old Thai qualifier.

There were no such problems for the country’s other stars: defending women’s doubles champions Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai, mixed doubles specialists Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai and defending men’s doubles champion Tinn Isiriyanet and new partner Niphitphon Phuangphuapet all went through without dropping a game.

The 2013 Asian Tour number one will lend his star credentials to the ฿4 million (approximately US$121,700) Asian Development Tour (ADT) event hosted by Thai legend Boonchu Ruangkit and staged at the Rancho Charnvee Resort and Country Club.

Kiradech, currently at world number 37 on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), is the highest-ranked player in the 156-men field this week. The lineup also boast some of the biggest names on the region’s premier Tour, including Prayad Marksaeng and Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, Zaw Moe of Myanmar and Sweden’s Daniel Chopra.

The 29-year-old Thai enjoyed a sensational 2018 when he ended a five-year title drought with his victory in February. He also became the first Thai golfer in history to earn a PGA Tour card.

Wrapping up his whirlwind of a season, Kiradech took a well-deserved layoff from golf to spend time with his family but admits he is feeling nervous ahead of the season-opener.

“I was really excited to play this event. I have been taking it so easy in the off season. I took five weeks off and did not play golf because I just wanted to spend time with my family and friends.

“Standing on the first tee I was very nervous in the first couple of holes during my practice round. It feels like I am not ready to get back into tournament mode. But who knows, maybe things will turn around because I am so relaxed and not thinking too much,” said Kiradech.

The decorated player is looking forward to his debut season on the PGA Tour, but he still recognizes the importance that home events play on aspiring talents in Thailand.

“Having Boonchu host an event is so important. It is great to have so much support for Thai golf from the sponsors and veterans on Tour. I always appreciate having good mentors around me like Boonchu and Thongchai who have become big brothers to me. It would be nice to win a trophy in his name,” added Kiradech, who claimed his third ADT victory last season.

Coming right off a third Asian Tour victory, compatriot Poom Saksansin hopes to bring over his winning momentum into the new year, with a new caddy, his father, on the bag this week.

“It is nice to back on the Asian Tour and playing in familiar conditions. I feel good about my game after winning in December and I hope to start the year on a good note,” said the 25-year-old Poom.

“I know I will have to play really well this week if I want to win. With a new caddy on the bag it will be a bit of a change. My father has only caddied for me twice before so hopefully we will work well together,” added Poom, who claimed his maiden ADT title in 2015.

American Trevor Simsby will make his debut this week on the ADT following a commendable performance at the Asian Tour Qualifying School where he made the mark with a tied-16th finish.

“It’s pretty exciting playing in my first event. I’ve been travelling around a lot in Thailand and Malaysia since Qualifying School ended. It was a bit of a culture shock. I’m getting more acclimated to the weather and my game feels like it’s in really good shape,” said Simsby, who previously played on the Web.com Tour.

The leading seven players on the ADT Order of Merit at the end of the season will earn playing rights on the premier Asian Tour for the 2020 season.

Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points are offered on all ADT events with the winner earning a minimum of six OWGR points while the top-six players and ties earn points on a sliding scale.

Pannawit Thongnuam

The 18-year-old, along with former Thai international Pannawit Thongnuam, survived two qualification rounds to earn their men’s singles main-draw berths at the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium.

While Pannawit has been drawn against the 60th-ranked Thomas Rouxel of France, the teenager must overcome world No 13 and top seed Lin, the Olympic champion in both Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

“I’m excited to get to play one of my idols,” said Kunlavut, who became Thailand’s first ever junior world champion in Indonesia in 2017 and successfully defended his crown in Canada last year.

“I want to succeed the way he has achieved,” added Kunlavut, who was just three years old when the Chinese won his maiden All England title in 2004.

Despite being a huge underdog going into the match, the local rising star hopes to at least get some chances to produce an upset.

“He is an all-round player, with both an aggressive style and a solid defence. However he is not as fast as before so that will be something I have to take advantage of,” said Kunlavut, who is fully 17 years younger than his opponent.

A total of six local men are in the 32-player main draw: Thai No 1 and world No 15 Kantaphon Wangcharoen lines up in an all-Thai affair with Sitthikom Thammasin, while Thai No 2 and world No 16 Khosit Phetpradab faces Zhao Junpeng of China.

The other Thai in the draw, Suppanyu Avihingsanon, will play Wong Wing Ki Vincent of Hong Kong.

While Thais have dominated the women’s singles since the event was first held in 2016 – Ratchanon Intanon won in 2016, followed by Busanan Ongbamrungphan in 2017 and Nichaon Jindapol in 2018 – the Thai men have yet to capture the singles crown.

Kantaphon came closest in 2017, when he lost in the final to Tommy Sugiarto but the Indonesian is not returning to try to complete the hat-trick this time.