Thai star Pariya sneaks to top of leaderboard in Tokyo

TOKYO: Pariya Junhasavasdikul edged into the lead after the halfway stage of the AsiaPacific Panasonic Open in Japan when he sank a clutch birdie putt on the last hole yesterday.

The Thai, who started from the 10th tee, struggled to get his round going and needed a 15 footer birdie putt to send him to the top of the leaderboard at the Ibaraki Country Club near Osaka.

He posted a one-under 70 to hold a oneshot lead from overnight leader Shingo Katayama of Japan, who struggled to a 73 at the event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour.

Tetsuji Hiratsuka of Japan, who won the 2011 showpiece, battled to a 66 to share third position with countryman Masahiro Kawamura.

Rory Hie (69) of Indonesia was a further shot back alongside Song Young-han (69) and Park Sung-joon (67) of South Korea, Yoshikazu Haku (66) of Japan and Brad Kennedy (66) of Australia.

Pariya, ranked 15th on the Order of Merit, bogeyed three and six to slip down the leaderboard but bounced back brilliantly after some coaxing from his caddy.

“I left three or four putts short in my round, so on the last hole my caddy told me that I needed to hole the putt or he would throw me in the water,” the Thai jokingly told organisers.

“I thought I had left it short again but luckily it trickled into the hole.” — AFP