Kim remains the boy to catch in NZ
Pavit two off the pace after a blistering 64
>> QUEENSTOWN: Pavit Tangkamolprasert shot an eight-under-par 64 in the second round to stay two shots off the pace in the New Zealand Open yesterday.
Thanks to yesterday’s lowest round, the Thai had a two-day total of 134 and was joint third with Australia’s Lucas Herbert (68).
Pavit’s game caught fire as he signed for a bogey-free round.
Having gone five-over in his opening five holes in the first round, the Thai knows his mental strength will be key as he eyes a weekend charge.
South Korean teenage prodigy Kim Joo-Hyung remained the boy to catch as he carded a 68 to take the halfway lead.
Playing at The Hills, the 17-yearold showed why he is fast becoming one of the rising stars from the Asian Tour by continuing to feature prominently on the leaderboard with his two-day total of 132.
“I played really well. With the tough conditions, it was not easy. But I managed myself really well and hope I can keep it up at the weekend,” Kim said.
“I have been working really hard and it is nice the scores have matched the work. I am still not at the top and I am trying to learn every day from the guys who are way more experienced than me.
“I am very fortunate that the veterans have been very nice to me and tell me how to play golf, how to play my best,” Kim, who is based in Thailand, said.
Pavit said: “I’m very pleased with how I played today especially with my driver as I managed to hit most of the fairways. I love this course as it favours the long hitters like me. I also made a lot of putts.
“I was five-over after the first five holes yesterday and I told myself I had to forget everything and try to move on. The weather was so bad. It was windy, cold and raining. It was like my win in Sabah last year where I made a strong comeback to win. I just told myself to regain my focus. And as long as I can do that, I still have a chance.”
Meanwhile, major-winner Pernilla Lindberg missed the cut after becoming the first female golfer to compete at the New Zealand Open, but still achieved her pre-tournament goals.
The Swede, who won the 2018 ANA Inspiration, went into the event saying she wanted to “beat just one man” as the first female participant in its 101year history.
Lindberg, 33, ended up beating five male professionals and equalling four more as she ended round two in a five-way tie for 147th place after shooting 153.