Jyoti 'too good' in Chiang Mai

Former Asian Tour No 1 Jyoti Randhawa of India fired an unblemished 65 to grab a one-stroke lead over local player Thanyakorn Krongpha at the midway stage of the US$750,000 Chiang Mai Golf Classic at the Alpine Gold Resort yesterday.

The 42-year-old from New Delhi was in hot pursuit from the start, knocking down seven birdies to overtake the 24-year-old Thai at the top of the leader board with his final birdie on the 18th. Randhawa ended the day with a total 11-under-par 133 at the par 72, 7,541-yard course. 

“I just played ‘too good’ today. It’s been my best performance in a long time. Today I fired on all cylinders. Everything was good, my putting, my second shots and my swings,” said the Indian. “I haven’t been in this situation in a long time now. … I just have to keep doing the same things I did in the first two rounds and see how it works out,” added Randhawa, who said he made the right decision to rest his injured right arm for two weeks ahead of this event.

Thanyakorn from Khon Kaen hit 14 fairways amid the mountainous landscape, sprinkling his round with six birdies, one bogey and a finishing eagle for a two-day total of 10-under-par 134. He was surprised to be in contention. “This is beyond expectations. I hope to hit 10 fairways each day but I made it 14 today, which made things a lot easier. When you hit the fairways on this course the rest is not a problem,” said Thanyakorn, who finished his round on a high note by sending home a 15-foot eagle putt that gave him a three-stroke lead over Australian Scott Barr and India’s Rashid Khan in third place.

The diminutive Thai has played just five Asian Tour events this year, preferring to spend most of his season on the more challenging Japan Tour, where he has landed two top-10 finishes and valuable experience.

“Playing in Japan makes me a better player. The conditions, the weather and the level of the players are a lot tougher there. In terms of my strategies going into the weekend, I just need to drive well and hit the fairways to set up myself in a good position,” added Thanyakorn, whose only international win was an Asian Development Tour in Indonesia two years ago.

Australia’s Barr shot five birdies against two bogeys for a 69, which placed him joint third along with Khan, who also hit a 69 for a total seven-under-par 137.

“I’ve been through a bad run so it is nice to see my name on the leader board. I’ve played well in the past and I knew my game would come back. It was just a case of putting it together. Obviously we are only halfway through this tournament. I had other things in my mind like keeping my Asian Tour card,” said the 42-year-old Aussie, who has yet to win an Asian Tour title after turning pro in 1994.

The 2013 PGA Championship victor Jason Dufner hit back-to-back 69s for a total six under-par 138 to grab joint fifth with first-round co-leader George Gandranata of Indonesia, with a 72, and South Korean Mu Joong-kyung of South Korea.

“ It was a pretty similar round to my opening day. I started slow but got back under-par after nine holes. I just missed a couple of putts but both days have been similar. I have to stay patient and wait for my chances. A 69 is a solid score and now I hope to play well during the weekend,” said the Alabama-based Korean, in just his fourth tournament after returning from a neck injury.

At joint eighth was last year’s Asian Tour No 1 Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who shot 70 for a total five-under-par 139, matched by the South African pair of Bryce Easton and Jbe Kruger.

Overnight co-leader Sattaya Supupramai failed to maintain his momentum, shooting 74 to settle in joint 11th with a four-under-par 140.

The 2011 Masters champ Charl Schwartzel of South Africa bounced back from an opening 77 to shoot a 68 for a total one-over 145 to make the cut along with a total of 63 players.

Former world No 9 Paradorn Srichaphan was less erratic yesterday, firing a 74, but his total of 10-over 154 was not enough to beat the cut for the weekend rounds.