Nearing 50, Aussie veteran Hend sits second in Indonesia

The pair of eagles were – to his recollection after the round – the first time he's achieved the feat in a tournament, and he paid tribute to feeling quite at home in Indonesia on his first visit since securing victory at the Indonesian Masters at the end of last year.

"I'm feeling really good, feeling comfortable. It's been a challenging year. Play has not been really good in the first half but I'm feeling better now so hopefully I can keep going," he said after his round.

Five birdies and one bogey saw Sarit post an eight-under-par round of 64 at the US$500,000 Asian Tour event which is being played at Pondok Indah Golf Course in Jakarta from August 3-6.

"My driver and irons were alright today, but the main thing was the putting, it was really good today. I saw the line on every hole, and everything seemed to drop.

"On the last, the tee shot wasn't good, in the left bunker, but I got a good lie and hit it to the front of the green. I made the putt somehow," he laughed.

Korea's Woohyun Kim (65), who took advantage of an unexpected eagle in the morning session to post the early clubhouse lead on seven-under-par, said he appreciated his good fortune but felt he was ready to compete after a disappointing showing at the event last year.

"I'm still fit, I think I'm fitter than a lot of the young guys out here. I intend to play golf for a long time and hopefully they keep seeing me in the rear-view mirror catching them." - Scott Hend.

Starting on the back nine, he set the early pace by scoring four birdies, including a run of three on his way to the par-5 18th hole, but the hole-out from around 30 yards caught him by surprise.

"It was a good start today, I made birdie on the 1st hole. On the 18th, I thought my third shot was a little bit long but the bounce was soft and it rolled in to the hole. It looked like it would end up a few feet away but it got to the hole and made eagle. I wasn't expecting it, but I'll take it."

A birdie finish on his final hole saw Australia's Scott Hend (65) edge into a share of second place with Kim on seven-under and the Australian was bullish on his prospects for the week.

"Yeah, it's alright. I mean we had lift, clean and place out there so it's playing a bit easier obviously. Scoring is going to be quite low this week because the greens are alright and they are quite receptive so I've just got to keep plugging along. It's nice to get a good first round instead of trying to chase all the time and let's see if we can have another low one tomorrow."

Despite being an Asian Tour veteran who is turning 50 in 12 days, Hend feels he is still able to compete with the younger guys on tour.

"It's really no difference, is it? I'm still fit, I think I'm fitter than a lot of the young guys out here. I intend to play golf for a long time and hopefully they keep seeing me in the rear-view mirror catching them," he said after his round.

Korea's Doyeob Mun (65) joined the group in second with eight birdies and a dropped shot on the 9th hole.