Panuphol leads Thai charge in Indonesia
Thai hotshot Panuphol Pittayarat put himself in position for a breakthrough win after carding a seven-under-par 65 to grab the halfway clubhouse lead by two shots at the US$300,000 Indonesia Open on Friday.
The 24-year-old Panuphol, who enjoyed a joint runner-up finish last year, fired nine birdies against two bogeys to sit atop the leaderboard on 11-under-par 133 total at the Pondok Indah Golf course.
Thailand’s Namchok Tantipokhakul returned with a 66 to take second place while countrymen Rattanon Wannasrichan (66) and Tirawat Kaewsiribandit (68) shared third with Australian Martin Andrew (65) on 136.
Panuphol, who started the round two shots back, dropped a shot on the second hole but bounced back brilliantly with four birdies to turn in 33. He picked up five more birdies on his way home, including three consecutive ones from 15, before dropping another shot on the last.
Play was suspended at 3.42pm local time due to lightning threats before resuming about an hour later. It was later abandoned for the day at 5.25pm due to fading light.
Qoutes of players:
Panuphol Pittayarat (Tha) – Second Round 65 (-7), Total 133 (-11)
I had a good round today. I just stuck to my routine. I didn’t really have a good start because I three-putted my second hole and made bogey. But I kept smiling and I kept hitting the greens and moved on from that hole.
My putting was good today which helped. Started off the year good and then slowed down during the last five tournaments. I am more comfortable now with my ball striking and confident in my swing.
I played well on all of the par threes, hit good shots on the eighth, 12th and 17th and birdied all of them. I did not do too well on the par fives. I was quite annoyed when the suspension came because I was thinking about that short putt I had on 17 for birdie although I managed to tap it in when I returned.
I think I was not warmed up enough on the last hole so I ended up with a bogey. I am going to stick to my routine, continue this rhythm and keep smiling for the next two rounds.
Namchok Tantipokhakul (Tha) – Second Round 66 (-6), Total 135 (-9)
I had a good start today from the 10, nailing four birdies in five holes before stumbling with one double bogey on the 18. I told myself to just keep playing and not think about the double-bogey.
I think I got lucky with my putts today too. I had one good putt on the 13 where I made from about 15 feet. I am just going to enjoy my game tomorrow and continue to do what I have been doing for the next two rounds.
Rattanon Wannasrichan (Tha) – Second Round 66 (-6), Total 136 (-8)
I had a great finish to the round. I closed with four birdies from the sixth hole. I hit my irons very good and everything else was good too. The course is in fantastic condition. I will stick to the same game plan for tomorrow. Keep hitting fairways and greens and make a lot of putts tomorrow.
This golf course feels similar to the venue where I won my first Asian Tour title earlier in May. On the par-five sixth hole, I hit two shots on the green and made two easy putts. On the seventh, I hit it close for a tap-in birdie. On the eighth, I chipped it in from 10 yards! That was a lucky shot for me because it was downhill. On the ninth, I made a long putt from about 12 feet for birdie.
I am very happy with the way I played today. The greens and fairways are similar to the venue where I won in May. It’s not too long also. It wasn’t so windy today so it was an advantage. Winning my first title in May has helped my game a lot. I get to play in bigger events and I gained a lot of experiences.
Ends.
Scores after round 2 of the Indonesia Open being played at the par 72, 7243 Yards Pondok Indah GC course (am - denotes amateur):
133 - Panuphol PITTAYARAT (THA) 68-65.
135 - Namchok TANTIPOKHAKUL (THA) 69-66.
136 - Rattanon WANNASRICHAN (THA) 70-66, Andrew MARTIN (AUS) 71-65, Tirawat KAEWSIRIBANDIT (THA) 68-68.
137 - Josh SALAH (USA) 70-67, Michael CHOI (AUS) 68-69, Jazz JANEWATTANANOND (THA) 69-68.
138 - Johnson POH (SIN) 69-69, Johannes VEERMAN (USA) 68-70, Wolmer MURILLO (VEN) 69-69.
139 - Stephen LEANEY (AUS) 66-73, Udayan MANE (IND) 69-70, Ye Htet AUNG (MYN) 68-71, Miguel TABUENA (PHI) 70-69, Antonio LASCUNA (PHI) 70-69.
140 - James BOWEN (USA) 73-67, Khalin JOSHI (IND) 71-69, Gaganjeet BHULLAR (IND) 67-73, Jason KNUTZON (USA) 69-71, Danny MASRIN (INA) 67-73, Pavit TANGKAMOLPRASERT (THA) 74-66, Paul PETERSON (USA) 72-68.
141 - Ekthumrong LUANGANURUK (THA) 72-69, Rory HIE (INA) 68-73, Mardan MAMAT (SIN) 72-69, Suttijet KOORATANAPISAN (THA) 71-70, Quincy QUEK (SIN) 68-73, Zaw MOE (MYN) 70-71, Atthaphon SRIBOONKAEW (THA) 71-70.
