Chinnarat, Kim tied for lead in Siem Reap

The 23-year-old Chinnarat, who is a three-time Asian Tour winner, shot nine birdies against a lone bogey to smash the one-day old course record with an eight-under-par 64 at the Angkor Golf Resort.

Featuring in his first event of the year, Kim, 31, was also in brilliant form, shooting five straight birdies on his front nine and then holing a sensational eagle on 16 from 30 yards. He followed up with another birdie on 17 but the Korean was denied the outright lead after dropping a bogey on his last hole for a 65 and two-day total of 11-under-par 133.

Tall Irishman Niall Turner battled hot and humid conditions in the US$300,000 Asian Tour event during a flawless 67 which left him one shot back of the leading duo. He has not dropped a shot in 36 holes.

 The stocky Chinnarat put himself in prime position to end a three-year winless run. Such was his solid iron play that he hit 17 greens in regulation.

 “My irons were very good. I didn’t have long putts as I hit many shots close,” said Chinnarat, who holds the record of being the youngest winner on the Asian Tour at 17 years and five days.

 The talented Thai is also reaping the rewards of work done on his putting, needing only 27 putts to negotiate his round. “In the last two events in India, my putting wasn’t good. I went back to Thailand and worked on it and I’m getting more confident with my putting. It’s basic stuff like keeping my head and putter head still during the stroke. It’s working,” he said.

 Kim attended lessons at the Butch Harmon Academy in Vegas in January to fix his swing which had been hampered by a shoulder injury last season. The highlight of his round was holing out on the par five 16th hole.