Masamichi Uehira of Japan is seen in action on day two of the Thailand Open at Thana City Golf and Sports Club in Bangkok yesterday. The $1m event ends tomorrow.
NEW DELHI: Chapchai Nirat of Thailand and China’s Liang Wenchong both carded second successive rounds of six-under-par to share a two-shot lead after the second round of the Avantha Masters yesterday.
Chapchai and Liang, both chasing their first wins since 2007 that came a week apart, were level at 12-under 132 ahead of four players on 10-under.
“This is a very long course and I managed to hit the balls long the last two days,” a satisfied Chapchai said after a sparkling round that included seven birdies and a single bogey.
“I also managed to hole several long putts as well and luck did play a part in getting me to my position today,” said the three-times Asian Tour winner.
Former Asia number one Liang’s putting was no less impressive as he sank a 25-foot birdie putt at the 17th, one of his eight.
“I have played some of my best golf this week and I managed to hole several long putts,” said the world number 201.
“I’ve learnt to be patient and my playing experience from all over the world has taught me well. There are two more rounds to go and, hopefully, I can be atop the leaderboard like today.”
Chinnarat Phadungsil, who reeled off eight birdies in nine holes for an inward 28 and a five-shot first round lead, took 40 on the back nine yesterday before joining five others at nine-under.
The 2010 Ryder Cup-winning captain and eight-times European Tour number one Colin Montgomerie made a forgettable India debut, missing the cut after a second successive 76.
Defending champion Jbe Krugar of South Africa was another one to miss the weekend while former Ryder Cup player Edoardo Molinari and twice PGA Tour winner Daniel Chopra also had early exits.
Stefani two ahead at Tampa Bay Championship
TAMPA, Florida: PGA Tour rookie Shawn Stefani grabbed a two-shot lead after a tricky opening round of the Tampa Bay Championship yesterday.
On a difficult day for low scoring on the Copperhead layout at Innisbrook Resort, the American carded a bogey-free round of six-under-par 65.
Fellow American Brian Harman, playing the back nine first, bogeyed his final hole to spoil an otherwise flawless round, settling for a 67 and outright second place.
Tag Ridings birdied his last two holes to join Brendan Steele and Harris English in a three-way tie for third at three-under on a day when only 25 players among the 156 starters broke par.
English might have finished higher but made a double bogey on his last hole when he found a greenside bunker, then three-putted.
Former world number one Vijay Singh of Fiji was among a group of eight players who finished at two-under, while last year’s champion, Luke Donald, signed for a one-under 70 despite bogeys on three of his last four holes.
“I’m extremely disappointed right now. I played just lovely golf for 16 of the 18 holes today,” Donald said.
“I just had it really under control and could have been six or seven under with a couple of putts and obviously to finish like that, it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.”
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