Thai student bolts ahead

Dark-horse Supakorn Utaipat carded a second round 67 for a total 13-under-par 131 to seize a surprise two-stroke lead after the halfway stage of the US$500,000 King’s Cup at the Singha Park Kohn Kaen Golf Club yesterday.

The 22-year-old Ramkhamhaeng University student fired seven birdies against two bogeys on a sunny day yesterday at the 7,546-yard layout for his first cut on the Asian Tour in only his third attempt. The previous appearances were at the 2009 Thailand Open in Phuket and Queen’s Cup in Samui this year.

“I drove well like on the first day but I didn’t do well with my approach shots. I was not happy with my short iron hitting between 110-120 yards. So I had to be calm and play less aggressive,’’ said Supakorn, who birdied on the first, second, eighth, 11th, 12th, 14th and 15th holes with bogeys on the third and 17th holes.

The unfancied local, despite his familiarity with the course, has never triumphed here. He admitted that he was greatly excited to be on the top of the leaders’ board in his biggest tournament since having a severe car accident three years ago in Chon Buri.

“I’m really excited to be where I am but it is beyond my expectation to make the cut in my third event on the Asian Tour. My weekend strategy will be to shoot birdies as early as possible and play with more prudence. But I don’t want to have too much expectations as I might put myself under pressure,’’ added Supakorn, who was two shots ahead of overnight leader Madan Mamat of Singapore, Briton Chris Rodgers and Udorn Duangdecha, the 2010 champion who hit a 68 yesterday.

Mamat started at the back nine by shooting four birdies against two bogeys before a dismal front nine, adding one more bogey on the eighth. He ended with a second-round of 70 and a two-day total of 11-under-par 133.

“I played pretty well in my first nine. I hit some good shots and managed to hole some putts but in my second nine, I didn’t hit my irons as close to the pin for birdie opportunities. But overall, I’m still happy by just being able to come back with an under-par score. I believe whoever handles the pressure better will win this week’s tournament,’’ said the 45-year-old three-time Asian Tour winner.

Just like Mamat, Rodgers who is based in Singapore, failed to keep up with his strong opening-round form where he shot 64, sinking six birdies against three bogeys for a 69 for a total 133.

“I’m not sure how you are supposed to follow up on a 64. I try to do it again but it’s not that easy. I had a couple of bogeys, which was silly. I maintained my 100 per cent fairways hit and making two bogeys was a bit poor. But otherwise it’s okay. Three-under after a round of 64 yesterday keeps you in the tournament and I’m delighted. To be honest, all the guys on the Asian Tour are great players. Obviously the locals have got their local knowledge and the crowds are with them. They’re used to the weather and conditions but I think the key is to keep doing what you’ve been doing, being patient and enjoying yourself. The most important thing is to have fun when you play and I think that’s going to be an asset for me on Sunday.”

Australian Wade Ormsby who hit the round’s lowest score of 63 took joint fifth place along with Thai veteran Boonchu Ruangkit, Filipino Elmer Salvador, Prom Meesawat, Taiwanese duo Chiang Chen-Chih and Lin Weng-tang.