Sentosa, Singapore, January 18: Read what players have to say following the completion of round one at the SMBC Singapore Open on Friday.

Poom Saksansin (Tha) – First round 65 (-6)

I am very happy. I came back to resume my round early this morning and there wasn’t much wind. I hit my irons good too so I was able to gain some shot out there. I putted well too. I have experienced a lot of rain delays before but it was never like this, taking one whole day to finish 18 holes.

I waited three hours yesterday and it was suspended again when I was on the last hole. I don’t enjoy it so hopefully the weather gets better for everyone. It was nice playing alongside Paul Casey. I played my own game and he was focused on his too. We spoke a bit.

I am sure there will be a couple more rain delays so I will try and play the same. The calm conditions helped me a lot. If it was windy out there, I wouldn’t be able to shoot such a low score like this.

Chan Shih-chang (Tpe) – First round 66 (-5)

I think this is the longest 18 holes I have ever played. We had like three suspensions since yesterday. But having said that, I am pretty satisfied with the way I played. I just try to stay relax during the delays and keep stretching so my body won’t be stiff.

Actually, rain delays are very common back home in Chinese Taipei too. So I am prepared for it. It’s still ok, just a bit more tiring.

It’s my first event of the year. I obviously hope to win again soon. But I haven’t set any targets for myself this week. I just told myself to do my best. This is my best score at Serapong since 2016. I think my iron-play was good and I was able to read the lines better this time.

Hung Chien-yao (Tpe) – First round 66 (-5)

I don’t know what to say actually. This is a very beautiful course and I have been here a lot of times. I know how challenging it is and I have not shot such a good score here before. I just thought my mental game was good today.

I felt really relaxed out there and I wasn’t thinking much. I can’t tell you which holes were good and which holes were not. I can just say I am very lucky today. A lot of shots I didn’t hit good but still managed to get in good positions.

I got married last year and welcomed my baby daughter recently. I guess my mindset has changed quite a bit from last year, with the responsibilities I have now. I couldn’t quite get used to it last year but coming to the first event of the season this week, I told myself to just come here and enjoy myself.

Enjoy every tournament that I get in and then go back and spend time with my family. That was my mindset coming here. I am really happy to become a father at the age of 26. It has not been easy for me and my wife. It wasn’t easy looking after a baby as we always have to wake up in the middle of the night.

I told myself I need to be more mature now and not get angry so easily out there. I talk to myself more I guess. There are a lot of good players this week. I would love to continue playing well tomorrow. Hopefully I can stay lucky. Nothing changes for tomorrow. I will play shot by shot and do my best.

Whatever happens, I will face it with a positive mindset.

Yuta Ikeda (Jpn) – First round 67 (-4)

I had good chances before the first birdie on 14 but overall it was good golf. Played well until the bogey on fifth. Last week at the Sony Open in Hawaii, I played well but could not score. Today, the score is finally showing. I would like to keep it like this tomorrow.

Miguel Tabuena (Phi) – First round 67 (-4)

My game’s still pretty rusty. I took a long break from the game, longer than usual. I just had a longer off-season last year. I had some family visits in the United States over Christmas and I wanted to spend more time with them.

But I am happy with the way I played today. It’s going to be tough out there. You have to make a lot of birdies and hit the fairways and try to attack the pins.

I had some good finishes here. I came in tied-fourth in 2016 and last year, I was tied-eighth. Hopefully I can do better than that. I am on the right track. There are still a lot of golf to be played. I am striking the ball well and I am happy with it.

Two three putts today costed me. That was on the third and ninth holes. That were the only two bogeys I made today.

I didn’t touch the clubs since the last day of Indonesian Masters till January 6. It’s still a little bit rusty. I am going to the range and hit a few balls. I am going to try and get my drives more accurate. If I can do that, I should be able to do well this week.

Arjun Atwal (IND) – First round 67 (-4)

Having played so much golf in this part of the world, I guess I am kind of prepared for the rain delays, especially in Singapore and Malaysia. It’s one of the longest one that I have had though. Started the round yesterday and only finished now.

I played really solid though, apart from the bogey on the last. I have no complaints. I find this course really tough so you can’t really let up on any holes. It’s a great start nonetheless.

Jazz Janewattananond (Tha) – First round 68 (-3)

I had a shaky start today, playing with two superstars Ryo Ishikawa and Sergio Garcia. They are the two players whom I look up to and I’ve watched them play in the Majors since young. They are two of my idols really.

I got used to it after a few holes. I got back the momentum and it kind of free me up a bit and I managed to play better on the back nine. It was a good experience playing with them. I get to see how they play at the highest level.

I can see where I need to improve, what I can do better in and see what my strengths and weaknesses are. It’s just inspiring playing with them.

Three-under is not a bad round, I think. I just want to keep my game solid, hit the fairways and greens out there. I hope to sink a few more putts tomorrow but everything has been on point.

Matthew Fitzpatrick (Eng) – First round 68 (-3)

The storm seems to have come early today and it’s pouring down right now so I’m not envious of anyone who’s still out there.

It was a bit up and down. I felt like I drove it pretty well and gave myself some chances on the fairway to get close, but didn’t really take them. I putted pretty solid, and my short game was alright as well, so it was a good solid day all around.

The new rules are very interesting. We actually had to stop ourselves today on 17 – we weren’t even sure if you could still go back to the tee. That’s sort of a traditional rule that everyone knows, but we just played it safe instead and just went in front of the tee box. Dropping from knee height is different, I think it makes you look a little bit silly personally but it is what it is.

Nicholas Fung (Mas) – First round 68 (-3)

It’s a very important week so it’s definitely good to start well. This year is my last year of winner’s exemption so I really need to do well to keep my card for next year. It’s important for me so I hope to play well in the first few events.

I had a good finish to the 2018 season, shooting a 62 on the final day of the Indonesian Masters. It’s definitely good to carry that good form to Singapore. I have been playing well as of late. I try to stick to my usual practice routine and kept my momentum going.

I am pretty confident with my swing now. I just hope to make some putts out there. I have played here a couple of times. You need to hit the fairways to score out there. This is not a very long course. If you hit a bad drive, you might not get a good second shot because the greens are big and quick here.

The key is definitely to find as many greens and fairways as possible out there.

Sergio Garcia (Esp) – First round 69 (-2)

They actually helped quite a bit with this heat, and they kind of prevent mosquitos from biting. They actually felt quite good, so I was happy to wear them.

Well it does help a little bit. I’ve had a little bit of a sinus infection these last couple of days, and a bit of an upset stomach this morning. But I think I played nicely, and the highest I can shoot. Obviously there were a couple of shots here and there where I was a little bit rusty, like this one on the last (hole) for example, the second shot. But other than that I felt like I played well. I gave myself a lot of chances and hit some good putts. I didn’t really make a lot, but the greens are tricky. They’re very fast, and you have to be very aware of your speed, and unfortunately I lacked a little bit of speed in a couple of parts here and there.

Just chill and get some food in my belly. Relax a little bit. Obviously days here in Singapore are long and hard with the heat and humidity, so it’s important to rest and take a nice cold shower, and just get ready for tomorrow.

Koh Deng Shan (SGP) – First round 69 (-2)

I hit the ball good today. You need to hit the ball good on this course. I putted well too. I would love to have hit my irons closer today but at least I put myself on the right sides of the greens. I didn’t really have to scramble for par, except for the 11th hole where I hit a bad tee shot.

Made a good par there though. I hit it into the front bunker but got up and down from there. That kind of sparked my momentum. It’s always nice playing at the Sentosa Golf Club. It’s obviously nice to be in this position. It always feels good whenever you get to play in your National Open.

I hope to keep this going. It actually felt like any other tournament when you are out on course. But it’s definitely nice to be staying at home this week and having so many friends coming out to watch you play. It’s a very good feeling.

It’s good to have people cheering you on out there. It keeps you positive and definitely motivates you to play better. I think we have a very strong local contingent this week. There are a few young and upcoming professionals like Gregory Foo.

It would be great to get more support. Sentosa has been doing a great job, letting us practise here prior to this week. I think that helps a lot.