Sutijet and Chaiphat ahead at storm-hit Pattaya tournament
>> PATTAYA: Sutijet Kooratanapisan and Chaiphat Koonmark yesterday shared the second-round clubhouse lead at the weather-hit 3.2-millionbaht Singha Pattaya Open at Burapha Golf and Resort.
Play was suspended for more than two hours in the morning due to a storm and a large number of players were not able to finish their rounds.
Before action started yesterday, golfers and officials attended a solemn ceremony to mark one year since the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The 30-year-old Sutijet shot a twounder-par 68, while Chaiphat, 24, fired a 67 to move to six-under 134.
Sutijet picked up three birdies on 4, 14, 16 and had one bogey on 15. Chaiphat shot four birdies on 5, 6, 7 and 12 before bogeying the last hole.
Overnight co-leader Settee Prakongvech hit a one-over 71 and fell three shots behind.
“I played quite well today. I managed to stay on the fairways most of the times,” said Sutijet.
“The fairways were quite soft because of the rain in the morning so I couldn’t quite hit it as long as I would have liked.
“Tomorrow it will be more of the same for me, just trying to keep it on the fairways.”
“But I won’t be thinking about winning just yet. I will just try to do my best over the next two days,” he added.
Meanwhile Chaiphat was delighted to be in a share of lead despite having “adjusted his swing recently”.
He added: “I felt a bit worried coming into the tournament, but I just tried not to think about it too much. Fortunately my irons worked well today and the putter too.”
In the women’s event, Nimmita Juntanaket stayed on top with threeunder 137 after a 72 yesterday.