Chonburi, Thailand: Thailand’s Jakraphan Premsirigorn eagled the last hole to share the second round lead with teenager Suradit Yongcharoenchai at the Betagro All Thailand Championship on Friday.
Jakraphan, aiming to end a four-year title drought, holed as 12-feet eagle putt on the 18th hole for a second straight six-under-par 64 at the three million Baht (approximately US$87,209) Asian Development Tour (ADT) event.
The 18-year-old Suradit returned with a 65 to tie at the top with his countryman on 12-under-par 128 while Tirawat Kaewsiribandit was a further shot back at the Laem Chabang International Country Club.
Pavit Tangkamolprasert (65), who holds five ADT victories, Danthai Boonma (64) and Itthipat Buranatanyarat (64) shared fourth place on a 130 total. Overnight leader Brett Munson of the United States slipped to a share of seventh place following a 71.
Jakraphan won his first ADT title in 2013 but has struggled to repeat his winning form. He hopes to turn the corner this week after working with a new coach (Kong) earlier this year.
“I changed to a new coach and my game is slowly improving. After my win in 2013, my form was not good so I was very low in confidence. This year I finished runner-up once so I’m feeling confident with my game” said the 26-year-old Thai.
Suradit, who has two top-10 results on the ADT this year, launched his title assault with six birdies as he chases for a first ADT victory. His only bogey of the day came on the par-three 14th hole.
“It was a very good round. I found 12 fairways and that’s the key to having a good score on this course. I stuck to my game plan and I’m feeling very confident with my putting. It will be an unpredictable weekend because anybody can make a good score on this course,” said the talented Suradit.
The halfway cut was set at two-under-par 138 with a total of 53 players making the weekend rounds.
By featuring on the ADT schedule, the event will receive Official World Golf Ranking status, with the winner receiving a minimum of six points and the top-six players and ties earning points on a sliding scale.
Leading second round scores:
128 - Jakraphan PREMSIRIGORN (THA) 64 64, Suradit YONGCHAROENCHAI (THA) 63 65
129 - Tirawat KAEWSIRIBANDIT (THA) 67 62
130 - Danthai BOONMA (THA) 66 64, Pavit TANGKAMOLPRASERT (THA) 65 65, Itthipat BURANATANYARAT (THA) 66 64
132 - Settee PRAKONGVECH (THA) 65 67, Jazz JANEWATTANANOND (THA) 65 67, Janne KASKE (FIN) 68 64, Brett MUNSON (USA) 61 71, Khattawan POOKAWANUCH (THA) 66 66
133 - Natipong SRITHONG (THA) 67 66, Nick SHERWOOD (USA) 65 68, Blake SNYDER (USA) 67 66, Peradol PANYATHANASEDH (THA) 71 62
134 - Wolmer MURILLO (VEN) 65 69, Nattawat SUVAJANAKORN (THA) 69 65, Namchok TANTIPOKHAKUL (THA) 65 69, Scott SECORD (CAN) 68 66, Panuphol PITTAYARAT (THA) 65 69, Poom SAKSANSIN (THA) 68 66, Sattaya SUPUPRAMAI (THA) 68 66
135 - Chirat JIRASUWAN (THA) 67 68, Johnson POH (SGP) 68 67, Sarit SUWANNARUT (A) (THA) 67 68
