Higa stays ahead despite a cold putter
LOP BURI: Japan’s Kazuki Higa signed for a three-under-par 67 to stay ahead of the chasing pack at the halfway stage of the Thongchai Jaidee Foundation 2019 yesterday.
The 23-year-old Higa compiled a two-day total of nine-under-par 131 to hold a one-shot advantage over Soomin Lee of Korea (66) in second place at the four-million-baht (approximately US$123,000) event.
Local prospect Sadom Kaewkanjana posted a 67 to share the third spot on a 134 total with countrymen Kosuke Hamamoto (65) while Itthipat Buranatanyarat (69) and Natthapong Niyomchon (70) were tied-fifth at the 13th Military Circle Golf Course, the venue where tournament host Thongchai Jaidee grew up playing on.
Higa, who claimed his maiden ADT victory in Bangladesh last year, was happy to put up another decent round despite struggling with a cold putter. He dropped his first shot of the tournament on hole 11 but recovered quickly with a birdie on hole 12.
“My putting wasn’t very good today and my round would have been even better if I rolled in more putts,” said the Japanese, who totalled 30 putts in the second round.
The Okinawa native found some momentum on his back nine where he grabbed birdies on holes one, three, six and seven before dropping another shot on his last hole.
“I am striking my irons well which is helping me stay out of trouble on this course. I played better on the second nine and hit it close on a lot of holes. Hole nine is a very tough hole so I am happy to take a bogey and walk away,” added Higa.
The 25-year-old Lee, a one-time European Tour winner, had his solid iron-play to thank for in his second round where he traded six birdies against two bogeys.
“I am striking my irons well and most of my birdies were tap-ins. I started with two birdies in a row on hole 10 and 11 and both of them were inside five-feet. I hit every green on the front nine and didn’t make too many mistakes,” said the Korean.
Playing on an invite spot this week, Lee hopes to carry his momentum into the weekend rounds.
“I got an invitation from Thongchai to play in the event this week so I decided to play this week since I train in Thailand over the winter season and my home is just an hour away from this golf course. I just hope I can continue this pace into the weekend,” said Lee.
The halfway cut was set at two-overpar 142 with 57 players advancing to the weekend rounds.
LEADING SECOND ROUND SCORES
131 — Kazuki Higa 64-67
132 — Lee Soo-Min 66-66
134 — Sadom Kaewkanjana 67-67, Kosuke Hamamoto 69-65
136 — Itthipat Buranatanyarat 67-69, Natthapong Niyomchon 66-70
137 — Udorn Duangdecha 69-68, Janne Kaske 68-69, Chinnarat Phadungsil 66-71, Maeng Seung-Jae 69-68