Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant showed his determination to win his 12th Asian Tour title with a five-under-par 67 to take the second-round lead at the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship (TPC) yesterday.
Thaworn remains on course to match compatriot and reigning Order of Merit winner Thongchai Jaidee’s record of 12 Asian Tour victories after a two-day total of eight-under-par 136 at the Linkou International Golf Club.
Malaysia’s Iain Steel kept up his charge for his maiden win on the Asian Tour by adding a 69 to his opening 68 to take second place, while Australia’s David Gleeson and Taiwan’s Tsai Chi-huang are a further shot back in third place on 138.
PHOTO: AFP/ASIAN TOUR
Ben Fox and Matthew Rosenfeld of the US posted matching 139s to take equal fifth at the inaugural full-field Asian Tour event.
While Thaworn is on track for the record-equaling feat, the 43-year-old Thai also believes that a victory in Taiwan will provide the impetus to mount a serious challenge at several upcoming high-profile events on the Asian Tour Schedule.
“I’ve been playing well this season and my good form has given me lots of self-belief. I’m feeling good about my game and I’m ready to contend for the title this week,” said Thaworn, who marked his card with six birdies and one bogey on the par-three fifth.
PHOTO: AFP/ASIAN TOUR
“A win will definitely be nice as it’ll give me confidence when I play in the big events coming up in Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore,” he added.
Steel, who started the day tied for second, reeled in birdies on holes two and four, before dropping his only bogey of the day at the par-three eighth. He then added two more birdies on the 11th and 18th holes after the turn to return in 69.
Gleeson started well with an opening birdie in his starting back-nine. He bogeyed the par-four 14th, but recovered with another birdie on the 15th hole.
The Aussie added birdies on the third and fifth holes after the turn, but bogeyed his closing nine for a 70.
Overnight leader Lu Wen-teh of Taiwan failed to keep up the pace and returned a 73 for a share of seventh place.
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