PROM, PETERSON AND PIGEM SHARE
LEAD IN RAIN-HIT QUEEN’S CUP
Samui,
Thailand: Thai favourite Prom Meesawat earned the joint
clubhouse halfway lead at the Queen’s Cup on Friday following his career
best round of six-under-par 65 at Santiburi Samui Country Club.
The
man nicknamed the “Big Dolphin” joined American Paul Peterson and
Spaniard Carlos Pigem on seven-under-par 135 atop the leaderboard at the weather-hit US$300,000
Asian Tour tournament after snaring six birdies, including four on the
trot on his homeward home.
Peterson also enjoyed a flying 65, highlighted by a superb eagle from 30 feet on the par five 18th hole while Pigem propelled into contention for a maiden Asian Tour title with a solid 69.
Two
weather disruptions, one in the morning and another in the afternoon,
meant that 67 players, including overnight leader Thaworn Wiratchant and
title holder Prayad Marksaeng, will return at 7am Saturday to complete
their second rounds.
Round three will commence no earlier than 9am.
The
31-year-old Prom, who is a two-time winner on the Asian Tour, was
delighted to post his lowest card at Santiburi Samui, a venue which he
has two top-10s previously.
“I didn’t know it was my best round
here,” beamed Prom. “I played good, especially on the par threes where I
was three under par today. It was playing easier as there was no wind
and it was also preferred lie. So I just tried to put the
ball on the fairway, that’s the key on this golf course.”
With his family in town at the famous
holiday isle, Prom believes a relaxed approach could be the key to
winning the Queen’s Cup for the first time, an event that has been
dominated by Thai players since it joined the Asian Tour Schedule
in 2009.
“It’s quite relaxing and I feel
comfortable here. Four birdies in a row also helps. It’s always special
to win in your home country. I’ll be trying my best to do this. Next two
days, I won’t change anything. On this course, the fewer mistakes
you make, you’ll win,” said Prom, who has a two-day total of
seven-under-par 135.
Peterson,
who finished an impressive fifth on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit
last season, produced his season’s low round to charge into contention
for a first Asian Tour victory. The lefthander has struggled to hit top
form this year,
with only one top-20 to his name, but a telephone conversation with his
coach last night did wonders for the amiable American.
“It
was a fun round, fun to play some good golf again. That’s good. I just
got into a good rhythm,” said Peterson, who finished sixth in the
Queen’s Cup last season.
“I
had a nice chat with my coach about some putting stuff. Yesterday, I
felt like I was banging my head against the wall as nothing went in. We
had a nice chat about some things and the hole opened up. Hopefully
we’ll have more of that
this weekend. It made a huge difference,” added the American, who
needed only 25 putts in his second round compared to 31 in the opening
round.
Pigem,
25, was delighted to move into the hunt, especially when Santiburi
Samui has not been kind to him in the past where his best finish was
tied 38th and two missed cuts.
“The
last two rounds here, I shot like 79 and 74 and I didn’t have good
memories. But I always come here as I like the place and I like the
country. This year, the first two rounds, I’ve played good, so I’m
happy,” he said.
“Before
I came this time, I know this course is very tough and if you miss a
shot, it can cost you a lot. So I said let’s just play and if you miss a
shot, don’t care about it as you have other opportunities for birdies,”
added Pigem.
Thai
youngster Jazz Janewattananond returned a fine 67 to lie one back of
the leading trio while big-hitting Aussie Scott Hend moved into
contention with a 69 to lie three shots off the pace.
SECOND-ROUND LEADERBOARD
par 142 (2x71) Yardage 6,808
135 - Carlos PIGEM (ESP) 66-69, Paul PETERSON (USA) 70-65, Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 70-65.
136 - Jazz JANEWATTANANOND (THA) 69-67.
137 - Pavit TANGKAMOLPRASERT (THA) 70-67.
138 - Thanyakon KHRONGPHA (THA) 70-68, Scott HEND (AUS) 69-69, Wanich PETCHARIT (THA) 65-73, Junseok LEE (AUS) 71-67.
139 - Mithun PERERA (SRI) 71-68.
140
- Quincy QUEK (SIN) 71-69, Javi COLOMO (ESP) 69-71, Juvic PAGUNSAN
(PHI) 72-68, Nicholas FUNG (MAS) 70-70, Rahil GANGJEE (IND) 68-72.
141 - Sam CHIEN (USA) 68-73, Himmat RAI (IND) 71-70, Chikkarangappa S. (IND) 70-71.
142 - Jordan SHERRATT (AUS) 72-70.
143 - Namchok TANTIPOKHAKUL (THA) 70-73, S.S.P. CHAWRASIA (IND) 73-70, Michael WRIGHT (AUS) 72-71, Josh YOUNGER (AUS) 73-70.
Note: 67 players will resume round 2 on Saturday, 7am.
Labels: ASIAN TOUR
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home