Taiwan’s Chan Yih-shin held on to his lead at the King’s Cup with a battling one-over 73 yesterday, but six players were hot on his heels.
The 32-year-old failed to repeat his opening round magic when he shot a sparkling course record 64, but will still enter the weekend rounds one stroke ahead of the pack with his two-day total of seven-under 137.
Rahil Gangjee of India charged into contention when he equaled Chan’s course mark at the Singha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club.
He finished the day in tied second place, alongside compatriots Harmeet Kahlon (67) and Anirban Lahiri (72), South Korea’s Kim Dae-hyun (68), Lin Wen-hong of Taiwan (71) and Scotland’s Ross Bain (69) on matching 138s.
Little-known Apichai Leelakajornjit maintained Thailand’s challenge after a 71 left him two back on 139, alongside Corey Harris of the US, who shot a 70, and towering Welshman Craig Smith, who carded a 69.
“My putting just wasn’t clicking for me as I missed a lot of short putts. It was quite disappointing because the conditions were quite easy in the afternoon and I did not put in a good score. I didn’t take the chances I had,” Chan said.
Starting from the 10th tee, Chan could have retained his overnight two-shot advantage if not for a costly bogey on his last hole where he missed a three-foot par putt.
“It is disappointing, but I have to concentrate in the last two rounds and hopefully my name will still be on top on Sunday,” he said.
Gangjee chipped in for an eagle on the 18th, his ninth hole of the day to add to his six birdies and a lone bogey as he moved into contention.
“In the beginning it was stressful, but later in the round it became fun. After yesterday’s first round, I was outside the cut line and I was so stressed out, and hit it all over the place. Today was something else, everything clicked,” Gangjee said.
Scotsman Bain was tied for the lead before a bogey on his last hole dropped him into joint second place.
“I played really nicely from tee to green, so I’m a little frustrated not to be one better. All in all, two days gone, I’m still happy to be in contention,” Bain said.
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