Eagle finish gives Edfors lead at Black Mountain

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BANGKOK (AP) -- Sweden's Johan Edfors finished with an eagle for an 8-under 64 and a two-stroke lead over South Korean teenager Noh Seung-yul in the first round of the Asian Tour's $500,000 Black Mountain Masters on Thursday.

Edfords had a share of lead at 6-under approaching his final hole, the par-five, 577-yard 18th, where he hit a three wood to within 15-foot of the hole and putted for an eagle three.

"I got the most out of my round. The winds blew in a different direction and it was a bit confusing," he said. "But I played quite conservatively and gave myself decent chances and holed quite a few putts

"I got off to a good start. Birdied one and two and get really lucky on six, the par five downhill. I then had a good finish with two birdies and the eagle on the last."

The 17-year-old Noh had seven birdies against one bogey for a 6-under 66.

"I made a few putts and every shot I hit kind of worked out there," Noh said. "I'm feeling good. I took a two week break recently from the Asian Tour as I was a bit tired after playing in four straight weeks.

"My game is getting better as I'm gaining more experience playing on the tour. My target is to try and win the Asian Tour Order of Merit over the next two or three years."

Filipino Frankie Minoza, South African George Coetzee and Australians Peter Cooke, Chris Gaunt and Neven Basic were all a shot further back in a share of third.

Thailand's Chapchai Nirat, who had an Asian Tour record 32-under to win the SAIL Open in India last weekend, bogeyed his last hole and carded 69. His fellow Thai Prayad Marksaeng, who needs a top-three finish to boost his hopes of qualifying for the Masters, returned a 70. PGA TOUR veteran Jesper Parnevik had a 75.