The going’s good for fired-up Pavit

Searching for his first All Thailand Tour victory in two years, the 27-year-old carded five birdies, one eagle on the 10th and his only bogey of the week on the 12th for a total 12 under-par 130.

“For the second day, I was doing everything right. I read the wind direction well and set up the ball in several good positions. I made only one mistake, by chipping the ball to a tough line on the 12th but also had a good eagle on the 10th. So I couldn’t be happier,” said Pavit, whose only All Thailand title came at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in Chon Buri in 2014.

“My game plan will be the same, to aim for the flag positions. The organisers may make the flag positions tougher, which is something I have to be careful about. However I’m quite confident with the way I’m hitting the ball and hope to carry this momentum going into the weekend rounds,” added the overnight leader, whose latest win was at the Macau Open, an Asian Tour event, in October. 

All Thailand rookie of the year in 2016, Chanachok also highlighted his round of 65 with an eagle on the seventh and had six birdies against two bogeys. His two-day total was nine under-par-133.

“I was putting quite well and barely hit my driver to the hazards much. I had only a couple of bogeys on the second and 11th holes but an eagle chip from the bunker really helped boost my confidence,” said the 2011 SEA Games national player. 

The 23-year-old from Tak had a three-shot advantage at December’s ADT Boonchu Ruangkit in Nakhon Ratchasima but blew away his lead on the final day. He said he had learned a lesson and would be more focused on the weekend. “I was going for too much and ended up with disappointment. I need to be more careful this time,” he said.

Briton Briton Simon Griffiths, also with a 65, followed four shots off the lead with a 134 with Pannakorn Uthaipas, one of the three overnight leaders, tied on fourth with Wutthipong Seehapunt.