ICHEON, South Korea: Wade Ormsby of Australia and Arnond Vongvanij of Thailand shot to the top of the leaderboard in the rain-shortened second round at the Ballantine’s Championship here yesterday.
The two players were tied at seven-under 137 through two rounds at the par-72 Blackstone Golf Club. Ormsby shot a 67 yesterday while Arnond was round in 69 to share the club house lead.
Ormsby earned his first Asian Tour victory earlier this month in India but he has yet to win on the European Tour. Arnond is also seeking his first European win.
The tournament, the only European Tour stop in South Korea, is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Korean Tour.
Play was delayed by inclement weather for the second straight day, and the final groups only got four holes in yesterday. Players will return to finish their second round today.
Ormsby, who made four birdies over his front nine, said he had to “work my way into the tournament” because his rhythm was a bit off following a two-week break.
“Today, I felt good straight out of the blocks,” he said. “I had a good back nine and then holed a couple of putts coming in. So overall, nice putting, keep it in play, so it was good.”
Arnond said he was happy with the way he overcame tough conditions.
“A thunderstorm came in out of nowhere, so I think that caught us all by surprise,” he said. “After we went out, the wind started blowing pretty heavily. I am glad to pick up one more shot coming in.”
Lurking one stroke behind the club house leaders were Alexander Noren, James Morrison and Jbe Kruger.
Morrison enjoyed a bogey-free round of 66, and Noren also went without a bogey for his 67. Morrison completed his first round in the morning and had to come right back out to play his second round. AFP
