FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Thongchai and Chia Stay in Contention at UBS Hong Kong OPen

Thongchai and Chia Stay in Contention at UBS Hong Kong OPen

Hong Kong - Thongchai Jaidee remained in contention at the halfway stage of the UBS Hong Kong Open on Friday, after carding a total 5-under-par 135, six shots behind leader Rafa Cabrera Bello of Spain.

The three-time Asian Tour number one Thongchai carded a 68 to sit alongside Malaysian Danny Chia. He said the tricky greens at Fanling was making life difficult for him as he chases a 14th Asian Tour title.

“My game, I struggled with the putting. We couldn't hole any short putts. We missed a few short putts for birdie,” said the Thai legend.

 “I'm very confident with my iron play and definitely struggling with putting because greens so difficult. Some of the grains, some are downhill, downgrain are going to be very tough to putt and very difficult to control the distance, as well.

“I've been here many years, especially this year, the golf course is fantastic, no complaints, everything. Only thing the pin is very difficult on the back nine. We can see the pin position on the back nine is going to be tough. You have to be in the right position to putt.”

Chia also put himself on a fringe contention, thanks to an outward 29 in his second round of four-under-par 66.

The double Asian Tour winner enjoyed a flying start with five birdies in his opening seven holes at Hong Kong Golf Club which left him in a share of seventh position with Thai star Thongchai Jaidee, Chinese Taipei’s Hung Chien-yao and England’s Steve Lewton.

Chia, who represented Malaysia at the Olympics and recent World Cup of Golf this season, was delighted to find his range with his driver after spending the past few months struggling with the longest club in the bag.

“I think the last two weeks, I've been starting to hit the ball a bit more solid. I think the driving has been showing some good signs because I haven't been driving the ball that well this year,” said the Malaysian.

“I hit the ball and putted very solid on the front nine. Stiffed it. I think I probably hit it to about five feet three times on the front nine.”

As he moved up the leaderboard, with top spot held by Spaniard Rafa Cabrera Bello who leads on 11-under-par 129, some six shots ahead of him, Chia reckoned he paid the price for trying to be too aggressive on his homeward nine.

“I think I just probably tried a bit too hard on the back nine with my putting. I'm still hitting it quite solid. Just didn't make as many putts as the front nine. But that's golf. You can't make everything,” he said. “I’ll try to finish well for the year. I haven't done much this year.”

 

 

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