Westwood builds huge lead

Lee Westwood tamed the monstrous 7,453 yard Amata Spring Country Club course for the second day running yesterday, firing a remarkable second-round 64 for his best career halfway score of 20 under, in the US$1-million Thailand Golf Championship.

While Thai No 1 Thongchai Jaidee and Japanese wizard Ryo Ishikawa, in the same group, struggled to find momentum on the 72-par layout, the world No 3 was cruised from hole to hole, collecting eight birdies for an error-free two-day total of 20-under-par 124, matching the Asian Tour’s previous 36-hole low, by Chapchai Nirat in India’s Sail Open two years ago. 

“Today almost felt better than yesterday. It was quite tough out there. The scoring is pretty tricky. Sixty-four is a really good score. Not that 60 wasn’t a good score yesterday! I hit a lot of good shots again today and hit it close. Delighted with two days work,’’ said Westwood, the winner of three titles in 2011. 

The Englishman leapt to an 11-shot lead over Masters champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa and American Michael Thompson.

“ I may have had a two- or three-shot lead. I can’t remember shooting 20 under in the first two rounds in any tournament. It’s still a long way to go. But at the same time, I’m looking forward to the weekend. I’m playing great and I’m feeling in total control. Every aspect of my game feels good,’’ added the 38-year-old winner of 36 professional titles. 

Westwood’s huge lead has made second-best a more realistic target for the rest of the field. Schwartzel fired six birdies plus one eagle on the 15th but bogeyed the eighth and 12th holes for a 66 and a two-day total of nine-under-par 135.

“I feel like Lee is playing his own tournament and we are playing something else. Halfway through it now, I still feel I’ve got a very outside chance. I can see eight or nine under if I play decent without the bogeys. But it looks like Lee is playing well. But you can play good golf and shoot level par as well,’’ said the South African.

Thompson sank three straight birdies from hole 10-13 before ending with seven birdies against one bogey for a 66 and a total 135.

“To be in the second place in any tournament is a great feeling no matter what day it is. I have two more days in Thailand and I’ll get to play with two great players,’’ said the American, playing his rookie year on the PGA Tour.

Alone in fourth was American John Daly who hit three birdies but let go four bogeys to produce a round of 73 for a six-under-par 138 aggregate. A stroke behind in fifth was the pack of India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar and Jeev Mlikha Singh, Britons Simon Dyson and Miles Tunnicliff, Japan’s Kenichi Kuboya and Gregory Bourdy of France.

Kwanchai Tannin and Prom Meesawat were the two best local challengers after each scored a 140 for tied 11th position. By making the cut, Kwanchai ensured he would keep his Asian Tour card for next year.

“I thought I played really well but was unlucky with the wind. I shot two double-bogeys on the par-three eight and 17 which was disappointing. On 17, I hit a really nice tee shot but the wind stopped blowing and my ball went over the green,’’ said Kwanchai who shot 71 yesterday.

The news was worse for Thai No 1 Thongchai Jaidee, who had to retire after 13 holes yesterday due to back pain. The three-time Asian Tour No 1 was going from bad to worse at 12 over in yesterday’s round before deciding to shake hands with Westwood. 

A total of 74 players made the weekend cut at three-over-par 147. The good news for fans was that big names Ishikawa, British Open champion Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland, and former world No 2 Sergio Garcia of Spain will still be here over the weekend. However, Filipino Juvic Pagunsan, who will become the 2011 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, failed to make it.