Welshman Craig Smith takes two-stroke lead

at halfway in Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ASIAN TOUR
Siem Reap , Cambodia: Welshman Craig Smith put himself in prime position for his maiden Asian Tour win when he grabbed the second round lead at the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open today.
Smith opened up a two-stroke halfway advantage after firing a sizzling six-under-par 66 for a two-day total of nine-under-par 135 at the US$300,000 full field Asian Tour event.
India ’s Shiv Kapur, Filipino Artemio Murakami and Thailand ’s Annop Tangkamolprasert are two strokes behind on 137 at the highly acclaimed Phokeethra Country Club.
Overnight leader David Gleeson of Australia , Malaysia ’s Shaaban Hussin, Will Yanagisawa of the United States and Pariya Junhasavasdikul of Thailand are among the players in tied fifth position, three behind the leader.
Smith, who is believed to be the tallest player on any of the international golf Tours at 6ft 8in tall, brilliantly birdied his final two holes on the eighth and ninth to set him apart from the chasing pack.
“I knew I was tied for the lead coming down those two holes and I managed to hit some good shots to give myself a chance. I only had one bogey on each day so things seem to be falling in quite easily for me. I hope it continues,” said Smith.
Smith recently relocated his home to Abu Dhabi and feels it has helped him as the weather is more similar to Asian conditions. “It feels at home and that’s one reason why I am so comfortable playing here. I am not going to take anything for granted, there is still a long way to go. I am just going to take it one shot at a time,” added the Welshman, who has only one career top-10 in Asia .
Kapur, currently in 69th position on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, gave himself a huge boost of retaining his Tour card when he charged into contention with a superb 67. He made the turn in 35 before adding a birdie on the 10th hole and closing strongly with three consecutive birdies, including a 20-footer at his last.
“All in all, it was a frustrating day because I hit it close to the flag but couldn’t buy a putt. The way I struck the ball I should be at least 12 or 13-under. Luckily for me, I ended with three birdies and that turned an average day into a good day,” said Kapur, who needs to finish in the top-65 to keep his full playing rights on the Asian Tour.
“The greens are pretty tough here but fair. My putting has let me down and if I can get my putter hot during the weekend I should have a good chance,” added the 2005 Rookie of the Year.
Starting from the back nine, Murakami managed only one birdie on his front nine but a 10 foot chip-in for birdie on the third hole sparked further birdies on five and six en route to a 69. Like Kapur, the bubbly Filipino, ranked 77th on the merit list, is also fighting for his Tour card with two events remaining this season.
“I am just playing to save my card but I am not going to get carried away with my position. My chip-in was purely luck but I guess you need to have your good holes and bad holes (referring to the bogey on the 18th hole),” said the 2007 Iskandar Johor Open champion.
The unheralded Annop stunned the field as he moved into contention with a 69. The 19-year-old, playing in his first Asian Tour event this year, overcame his nervousness and performed superbly where his round was highlighted by a 20-foot putt for birdie on the 14th hole.
“I was scared initially but kept reminding myself to go out and have fun. I hit a lot of greens and that gave me the opportunity to shoot more birdies. My iron really pulled my game up,” said Annop.
Shaaban, starting from the 10th tee, wielded a hot putter on his front nine as he only made 10 putts before making the turn in 32. He finished his round on 67 after firing six birdies against one bogey.
“I have been in contention several times now and I am feeling more confident with my game and handling the pressure. My putting really worked well for me and you need that on this course where the greens are so tough to read,” said the Malaysian who is seeking his maiden Asian Tour title.
A total of 74 players made the cut, all of them shooting one-over-par 145 or better.
LEADING SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2x72)
135 Craig Smith (WAL) 69-66
137 Shiv Kapur ( IND ) 70-67, Annop Tangkamolprasert (THA) 68-69, Artemio Murakami (PHI) 68-69
138 Will Yanagisawa ( USA ) 71-67, David Gleeson (AUS) 67-71, Shaaban Hussin (MAS) 71-67, Chris Campbell (AUS) 70-68, Pariya Junhasavasdikul (THA) 68-70, Somchai Pongpaew (THA) 71-67
139 Marcus Both (AUS) 70-69, Varut Chomchalam (THA) 71-68
140 Udorn Duangdecha (THA) 72-68, Vikrant Chopra (IND ) 69-71
141 Namchoak Tantipokakul (THA) 69-72, Atthaphon Prathummanee (THA) 68-73, Stuart Lunn-Walker (AUS) 72-69, Pijit Petchkasem (THA) 72-69, Borworn Chaisri (THA) 72-69, Toni Karjalainen (FIN) 72-69.
Selected scores:
142 Chris Roake (England) 69 73 (jt 23rd).
144 Ross Bain (Scotland) 72 72 (JT 39th)
145 Iain Steel (Malaysia) 72 73, Rhys Davies (Wales) 74 71 (jt 48th).
MISSED THE CUT (145 or better)
147 Simon Dunn (Scotland) 75 72 (jt 75th).
148 Steve Parry (England) 72 76 (jt 86th).
151 Nick Redfern (England) 75 76 (jt 100th).
Retired: Yasin Ali 76 -.