Channettee and Samaporn share TWT clubhouse lead
Red-hot Chanettee Wannasaen and Samaporn Phangkhun shared the clubhouse lead in the rain-delayed SAT-TWT Open Road to World Ranking at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in Pattaya yesterday.
Persistent rain forced the second round to start four hours behind schedule with more than 30 players yet to finish. They will resume their action this morning.
Chanettee, winner of the second circuit here at the Phoenix Gold last year, recovered from two bogeys on the front nine to shoot a 68 for a nine-under 135 total. “I didn’t play as well as I did in the first round. I should have sunk more putts. But nine under is not a bad score in two days,” said Channettee, who beat Arpichaya Yubol by two strokes on this course where she celebrated her maiden victory (the 2nd Thai WPGA event) last November.
The teenage star will vie for her seventh crown this year, having won three straight Thailand Mixed events, two from another local tour and the Honda LPGA National Qualifiers.
Samaporn, from Loei, shot seven birdies against two bogeys on the third and 16th holes for a second-round 67 and a 135 total. “My approach shots were good as I hit close to the pins which gave me several birdie opportunities. The rain delay didn’t affect me at all as I tried to warm myself up all the time,” said Samaporn, who is chasing her first professional victory.
Arpichaya, from Saraburi, with four birdies at the back nine and two more after the turn, fired an unblemished 66 which propelled her to third for an eight-under 136 total.
After the second round, the top 60 and ties will move into the third and final round due after 9am today.