Thaworn breaks course record to lead in Laos
Tournament- favourite Thaworn Wiratchant birdied his way to a record round of 63 at the Luang Prabang Golf Club course yesterday, propelling him six strokes clear of his nearest rival at the midway stage of the US$80,000 Luang Prabang Lao Open.
The 45-year-old Thai defied sauna-like humidity and the hilly 7,318metre par72 course to unleash seven birdies plus an eagle for a bogeyfree round and a twoday total of 12underpar 132, six shots ahead of the Filipino siblings Rufino and Jay Bayron.
“I was lucky. Like on the sixth hole, I chipped in from 60 feet for an eagle, and on the 11th I drove into the woods but the ball hit a tree and bounced back onto the fairway. I couldn’t be happier,’’ said Thaworn, who maintained his momentum from last month’s Indonesian Masters, where he finished second, two strokes behind Englishman Lee Westwood.
“This is a long course but there are some short holes. I just tried not to make errors on the long holes. I came here pretty relaxed because I have been invited to help promote this event. So it’s pressurefree for me,’’ added Thaworn, now in a solid position to win the Asean PGA Tour season opener. He already has two Asean Tour titles under his belt, triumphing in the 2009 Heritage Melaka Classic and the 2010 Singha Esan event.
“Whoever hits better can win. There are a lot of good players out there and the Byrons are hitting well also. I’m just happy with the way I am playing,’’ added the former Asian Tour No 1.
Overnight leader Rufino, who led Thaworn by three shots on Thursday, swapped three birdies with three bogeys for an evenpar day and a total sixunderpar 138. He shared second place with elder brother Jay, who hit eight birdies against three bogeys.
Following a stroke adrift were the pair of Sattaya Sapuppramai and Kwanchai Tannin, each on 139 for a share of fourth.
