Rhys Davies now joint sixth in
Vietnam Masters

Korea’s Pyo Suk-min took charge in the second round at the Hana Bank Vietnam Masters after a five-under-par 67 today
Pyo, 23, posted six birdies against a lone bogey for an 11-under-par 133 total and a one stroke lead at the Vietnam Golf and Country Club, Ho Chi Minh City.
Overnight leader Kodai Ichihara of Japan shot a 69 and was in lone second place. Chinese Taipei veteran Wang Ter-chang remained in the hunt after a 70 to lie in a tie for third spot alongside Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and Filipino Artemio Murakami who both fired matching 69s three strokes off the pace.
Former Asian Tour number one Thaworn Wiratchant improved with a 65 to lie in joint sixth place alongside Korea’s Young Nam and Welshman Rhys Davies who recorded similar 70s in the US$500,000 event.
Competing in his first Asian Tour tournament, Pyo remained composed in the second round by firing a 67 thanks to solid iron game.
“I didn’t expect to be where I am now. I just took each hole as it came to stay calm and focused while playing in my first ever Asian Tour event,” said Pyo, who turned professional last year.
“My short game and putting has been the key and I hope to improve on my fitness when I tee off the weekend rounds,” added the Korean golfer, with 12 amateurs wins on home soil.
Japan’s Ichihara, who had previously posted a top-10 result at the Philippine Open in April, slipped to second place after a 69 at the Vietnam Golf and Country Club.
“I was unable to sustain my momentum. I was putting solid on the front nine but I was struggling on the last nine holes. The eagle on the first hole was a great start but I had a double bogey on the ninth and I was trying to keep it in play from then on,” admitted Ichihara, who was the 1999 World Junior champion.
Filipino Murakami chalked up six birdies against three bogeys for a 69 as he will be eager to improve over the weekend rounds.
“I missed a lot of chances out there and I could have had a better score. I am still satisfied with where I am at the moment and hopefully I will take advantage of the conditions tomorrow,” said Murakami, who won the 2007 Iskandar Johor Open.
Former Asian Tour number one Thaworn produced an impressive 65 and leaped up the ranks to a tie for sixth spot.
“I had eight birdies against one bogey and made a big move today. I am happy with how I played as my putting and iron game was steady out there. I can try to win this but it all depends on how well my driving and putting is in the next two days,” said Thaworn, who won a record 10th Asian Tour title at the Bangkok Airways Open in June.
Korea’s Young Nam, who is ranked 81st on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit, kept it steady in the second round firing a 70 in the hopes of a strong finish this week.
“I hit the ball really well today. I’m happy with my two day performance but I will push hard over the next two rounds and make up for some of the misses today,” said the 35-year-old golfer.
Former Walker Cup player, Welshman Rhys Davies, moved up to joint sixth position with a 70 for 137, four strokes off the pace.

SECOND-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 144 (2 x 72)
133 Pyo Suk-min (KOR) 66-67
134 Kodai Ichihara (JPN) 65-69
136 Wang Ter-chang (TPE) 66-70, Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 67-69, Artemio Murakami (PHI) 67-69
137 Young Nam (KOR) 67-70, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 72-65, Rhys Davies (WAL) 67-70
138 Scott Barr (AUS) 66-72, Park Hyo-won (KOR) 69-69
139 Sattaya Supupramai (THA) 69-70, Gary Simpson (AUS) 69-70, Pijit Petchkasem (THA) 69-70, Jason King (AUS) 71-68, Somkiat Srisanga (THA) 72-67
140 Taichiro Kiyota (JPN) 68-72, Kim Sang-ki (KOR) 69-71
141 S Siva Chandhran (MAS) 71-70, Shang Lei (CHN) 74-67, Himmat Rai (IND) 68-73, Chawalit Plaphol (THA) 71-70, Chang Tse-peng (TPE) 74-67, Neven Basic (AUS) 72-69, Andrew Dodt (AUS) 70-71, Digvijay Singh (IND) 67-74, Unho Park (AUS) 71-70, Frankie Minoza (PHI) 69-72, Choi Gwang-soo (KOR) 71-70