Thanyakorn breaks course record

Unfancied Thanyakorn Khongpha of Thailand carded a course record 63 for a total 11-under-par 133 to trail Australian leader Scott Strange by two strokes in a rain-interrupted Thailand Open at the Thana City Golf & Country Club yesterday.

Thanyakorn sank eight birdies plus one eagle on the 16th hole against a lone bogey on the eight to settle at joint fourth. At press time he was joint fifth behind Strange’s 13-under 131, with Japan’s Azuma Yano second on 12-under-par 132.

“I putted really well, I always set myself up in good positions and needed very few putts. For the eagle, I chipped in 15 yards from the fringe,” said the 23 year- old from Khon Kaen who, along with Kiradech Aphibarnrat, contributed to the 2007 SEA Games team’s gold medal in Nakhon Ratchasima. His best position in this tournament is a top-30 finish in 2010. 

“I hope to be one of the potential winners. As the course is not difficult, I have to be aggressive to be among the leaders,” added Thanyakorn. 

Many players will have to resume their second rounds this morning as play was suspended due to bad light after a heavy downpour stopped play more than two hours. 

However, that was no problem to Japanese Yano who had already completed the midway following an unblemished 65 and a total 12-under-par 132.

“Today though my putter was hot and I could not miss. I even went to a reverse grip on the 16th and holed a birdie putt. The greens have quite a bit of grain which made it difficult to read them, said the 35 year old three-time Japan Tour winner.

A stroke behind at joint fifth with Thanyakorn was three-time Major champion Padraig Harrington, who sank a bogey-free 66 for a total 133 along with defending champion Chris Wood of England and South Korean Kyoung-hoon Lee.

“A good day’s work and I’m still in it. If you’re not leading, you want to be in a nice position and I’m in a good position for the weekend. I played better today than yesterday. I have a couple of things to work on, but overall I’m reasonably happy,” said Harrington.

The 25-year-old Wood, who won his maiden international trophy in this tournament last year, also sent in a blemish-free scorecard of 66.

“I started nicely, but then I ran out of energy. I struggled for about six or seven holes but I managed to pick myself up a bit. I was really tired and it was really hot out there. But it was nice not to drop a shot out there. It’s nice to be around the lead. There is no point in coming here and feeling tired, you have to try to win it and that’s what I’m doing,” said Wood.

Local hope Prayad Marksaeng improved with a 67 to total nine-under-par 135 which placed him at joint 16th, four adrift the lead. He remained positive about his chance of a home trophy here. 

“If I can shoot about seven-under tomorrow and the leader is around three- or four-under, I still have come chances. If it wasn’t for the two bogeys, I would be in a better position today,” said Prayad, runner up in 2011. 

Overnight leader Koumei Oda of Japan hit a 73 and plummeted to 30th with a total 137. 2014 Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley was forced to retire due to a back injury.