Sarit surges into halfway lead at Thailand Open

The well-built Bangkokian blast five birdies for back-to-back 65s to take the clubhouse lead on 10 under-par-130 in the unfinished second round after morning rain suspended play for an hour.
“My putting was the key. I’m surprised I’m putting so well this week. I’m very excited and feel some pressure now,” said the 20-year-old, who ended the day a shot ahead of fellow Thai Panuphol Pittayarat.
In fact Sarit, who weighs 90kg and is 1.86m tall, only turned professional in February in an All Thailand Tour in Khon Kaen, 18 months after taking a full scholarship at Virginia Tech University.
He decided to turn his back on his education in the US after realising a career on golf was what he really craved.

“Things didn’t turn out the way I expected to. so I decided to come back and play golf, which is what I love. I knew I really wanted to become a pro golfer. So I came back and I’ve played a lot of golf this year,” said Sarit, who won a local All Thailand Tour in Pattaya in July 2016, three weeks before he flew to Virginia.
Playing in his only second Asian Tour event after May’s Bangladesh Open, where he finished tied for a lowly 51st place, Sarit will have to cope with the unfamiliar situation of being in the leading group over the weekend.

“I won’t expect anything or even a win. I will try to talk a lot with my friend [Porsch who is caddying for him this week] and that should help. My strategy is play shot by shot, not to make mistakes,” said Sarit.
Panuphol, 24, hit seven birdies against a lone bogey to settle with a 64 for a total nine under-par-131 which saw him make the first cut for the first time in his latest five tournaments.
“I was putting well although I didn’t drive the ball on the fairways much. I just managed to get out of the trouble well and made several good putts,” said the one-time Asian Tour winner who finished fourth in this event last year.

Poom Saksansin 
Two shots back at third was 25-year-old Poom Saksansin, who shot a 66 for eight under-par-132, while overnight leader Natipong Srithong, with a 69, trailed a shot behind with 133.
“I hit several birdies but also made bogeys too. I missed some easy putts but it happened. I will have to hit straight on to the fairways, which are very narrow here. You don’t want the ball to land out of position,” said the 25-year-old Poom, winner of two Tour trophies.

However, defending champion Rattanon Wannasrichan did not make the cut after hitting a total three over-par-143.
Several players will go out early and finish their second rounds this morning, with the third round to start later.