Hometown hero Patty Tavatanakit leads after Day 1 of Aramco Team Series — Bangkok

BANGKOK: Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit leads the $1 million Aramco Team Series — Bangkok by one after an opening round 6-under par at Thai Country Club.

The world No. 13 made the most of her home advantage to finish one above Spanish star Ana Pelaez going into Friday’s second round.

Team Hillier, captained by Australia’s Whitney Hillier and featuring Chonlada Chayanun — also playing her home course — Krista Bakker of Finland, and amateur Pattanan Amatanon, lead at the halfway point in the tournament’s fourball format, after carding a day’s low of -16.

“It was really fun,” said Tavatanakit, the 2021 LPGA rookie of the year. “I kept my round going well. The team format is a little different. Being able to play with everyone at the same time and make birdies, cheering them on, it’s a really good feeling.

“It’s a format that relaxes you. I was really calm today and I felt like mistakes were fine, because I had other people there (to support) as well.”

Instead of opting for the player hotel, Tavatanakit is staying with her family in Bangkok this week — and has a friend from home, Dan, on her bag.

Asked if being one of the hometown heroes brought an extra level of playing pressure, the 22-year-old said: “I want to do well everywhere I play. I treat every week just like a normal event regardless of where I am, so I’m just here to play another tournament. 

“Today, I read the greens really well. I was surprised actually that I didn’t really get more right reads or right breaks on the practice rounds, but today I think I was a little bit more focused and Dan really helped me.”

Breakout Spanish star Pelaez sits one back after a remarkable opening day bogey-free 67.

The 24-year-old only arrived in the Thai capital late on