Sattaya, Pilkadaris STAND ON TOP

Starting on the backnine with a two shot advantage, the 32-year-old went to the challenging par4, ninth hole leading by one. But back-to-back bogeys on the hole cost him the outright lead and the Thai had to settle for 7-under-par 133.

“Again the ninth hole gave me a tough time but so it did to other players. I overhit the ball from the bunker and it went beyond the green and I needed two putts. Finishing the hole with a bogey was a relief,” said Sattaya, who hails from Ratchaburi.

“The greens were more firmer than yesterday which made it difficult for the afternoon groups. But tomorrow the conditions will be same for everyone,” said Sattaya, who is now in an unfamiliar territory of being the halfway leader for the first time on the Asian Tour.

“Compared to the past, I think I have done a pretty good job by maintaining the lead for two days. I used to lead the first round and then play poorly the next day. At this stage all players want the trophy but what I should be more focused on is the things I have to do first to get there,” said Sattaya, who plans to sit with mentor Nattawat Aksornchat to chalk out the game plan.

Pilkadaris, a threetime Asian Tour winner, had a bogeyfree 67 to surge ahead of others.

“I just kept the ball in play all day and that was key to my bogeyfree round. I hit it well and didn’t miss much of the greens. Even if I did, it was an easy chip. I’m feeling good,” said the 42-year-old from Perth.

Denmark’s Joachim Hansen trailed the leaders by one shot after a second straight 67 for a 6-under-134.

Thailand’s Sutijet Kooratanapisan and Natipong Srithong were a shot behind at joint fifth after a 5-under-135 along with Taiwan’s Len Wentang, who carded a 66, and South African Jacp Ahlers, who made a 68.

 Sutijet, whose best finish on the Asian Tour was a runner-up place in Bangladesh this year, shot six birdies against four bogeys for a 68.

“My plan was to hit the greens. It was too risky to aim for the flags as the greens were quite fast. I will go with this same plan the next two days. I’ll try to have a good time,” said the 28-year-old.

Natipong Srithong, a law student at Thammasat University, had four birdies against three bogeys to turn in a 69.

“I didn’t hit the fairways well but luckily I managed to save several pars. The greens are really tough this week,” said the 22-year-old man from Nakhon Pathom who believes he is still in contention for the title.

“Three shots behind is not a big margin. I still hope to win this tournament. I just have to stick to my game plan by hitting the fairways and set up opportunities to score,” said Natipong, who won his maiden Asian Tour title in the Resort World Manila Masters last year.

Teen sensation Phachara Kongwatmai carded the day’s lowest score of 65 for a 4-under 136, which placed him at joint eight along with 2014 Asian Tour No 1 David Lipsky of the US, Lukas Nemecz of Austria, Scott Barr of Australia, Swede Johan Edfors, Nicholas Paez of the US and Thais Danthai Boonba and Jazz Janwattananon.

A total of eighty players made the cut at 1-over 141, including former champions Udorn Duangdecha and Arnond Vongvanich. Defending champion Thaworn Wiratchant (142) and former Master champion Trevor Immelman (143) missed the cut.