Supakorn soars ahead in King’s Cup
BANGKOK, Nov 30, (AFP): Thailand’s Supakorn Utaipat continued his dream run at the $500,000 King’s Cup when he signed for a five-under-par 67 to take the second round lead on Friday.
The 22-year-old compiled a two-day total of 13-under-par 131 to take a twoshot advantage over the chasing pack heading into the weekend rounds.
Singapore’s Mardan Mamat carded a 70 to take a share of second place alongside England’s Chris Rodgers and defending champion Udorn Duangdecha of Thailand at the Singha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club in northeast Thailand.
Taiwan’s Chiang Chen-chih made one of the biggest moves with an impressive 64 to take a share of fifth place with compatriot Lin Wen-tang, Australian Wade Ormsby, the Philippines’ Elmer Salvador as well as Thais Boonchu Ruangkit and Prom Meesawat at the King’s Cup, which is the third last event on the 2012 Asian Tour schedule.
Supakorn was delighted with his lead but admitted feeling the pressure ahead of the weekend rounds. can see through that.”
Watney was sympathetic. He feels “anchoring” provides some advantage, although he stressed that “I don’t think they’re cheating by any means”.
“It’s difficult to go back and institute a rule now,” said Watney, who uses a conventional putter. “I don’t have to worry about it.”
His concern is to build on the gains he made late in 2012 after a slow start to the season.
In August, Watney erased a two-shot final-round deficit to win The Barclays, the opening event in the US PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoffs.
Last month in Malaysia, he shot an electrifying final-round 61 to win the $6.1 million CIMB Classic,
“This is only my second start on the Asian Tour and honestly I’m feeling nervous as I’ve never been in this position before,” said Supakorn, who turned professional this year.
After enjoying one of his best starts on the Asian Tour with an opening 63, Mardan continued his charge towards his fourth Tour title even though he could not match his first round heroics.
The cut was set at three-under with a total of 70 players making it into the weekend rounds.
The King’s Cup is making its return after a year’s absence following the floods in Thailand last year.
Leading scores after the second round (par 72) 131 — Supakorn Utaipat (THA) 64-67 133 — Chris Rodgers (ENG) 64-69, Mardan Mamat (SIN) 63-70, Udorn Duangdecha (THA) 65-68
134 — Chiang Chen-chih (TPE) 70-64, Elmer Salvador (PHI) 68-66, Prom Meesawat (THA) 65-69, Boonchu Ruangkit ( THA) 67-67, Lin Wen-tang (TPE) 66-68, Wade Ormsby (AUS) 71-63 holding off Woods and defending champion Bo Van Pelt.
Although the atmosphere at this unofficial event is more laid back, Watney said, “winning never gets old”.
“Me personally, I’m trying to use it to prepare for next season.”
Watney, who said the cool, overcast conditions made for a nice change from the sweltering weather in Malaysia, nabbed his first birdie of the day at the ninth.
Birdies at the par-five 13th and par-four 14th were followed by birdies at the par-five 16th and 18.
McDowell had four birdies and one bogey — all on the back nine — for his share of second place on 69, while Furyk bounced back from an early bogey with four birdies on the back nine to get to three-under.
Woods, who hosts the event for the benefit of his charitable foundation, was tied for fifth on 70, alongside Van Pelt and US Open champion Webb Simpson.
Woods won here last year to end a two-year global victory drought, then won three US PGA Tour titles in 2012.
However, the tournament host admitted he’d need to hit it better as the week progressed.
“I didn’t hit it very good today,” said Woods, who had three birdies and just one bogey. “It was nice to scrape out a good score.”
“Made a few good par putts to keep the round going,” he added. “I kept myself in the tournament.”