Hot Panuphol ahead at halfway mark
Namchok two strokes behind Thai leader as lightning threats disrupt second round in Jakarta
>> JAKARTA: Thai hotshot Panuphol Pittayarat put himself in a position for a breakthrough win after carding a seven-under-par 65 to grab the halfway clubhouse lead by two shots at the US$300,000 Indonesia Open yesterday.
The 24-year-old Panuphol, who enjoyed a joint runner-up finish last year, fired nine birdies against two bogeys to sit atop the leaderboard on 11-under-par 133 total at the Pondok Indah Golf course.
Thailand’s Namchok Tantipokhakul returned with a 66 to take second place, while countrymen Rattanon Wannasrichan (66) and Tirawat Kaewsiribandit (68) shared third with Australian Martin Andrew (65) on 136.
Panuphol, who started the round two shots back, dropped a shot on the second hole but bounced back brilliantly with four birdies to turn in 33.
He picked up five more birdies on his way home, including three consecutive ones from 15, before dropping another shot on the last.
Play was suspended at 3.42pm local time due to lightning threats before resuming about an hour later.
It was later abandoned for the day at 5.25pm due to fading light.
A total of 14 players will return at 6.30am today to resume their second round with the third round slated to start not earlier than 8am.
“I had a good round today. I just stuck to my routine. I didn’t really have a good start because I threeputted my second hole and made bogey. But I kept smiling and I kept hitting the greens and moved on from that hole,” Panuphol said.
“My putting was good today which helped. I started off the year good and then slowed down during the last five tournaments. I am more comfortable now with my ball striking and confident in my swing.
“I played well on all of the par-three holes, hit good shots on the eighth, 12th and 17th and birdied all of them. I did not do too well on the par-fives. I was quite annoyed when the suspension came because I was thinking about that short putt I had on 17 for birdie although I managed to tap it in when I returned.
“I think I was not warmed up enough on the last hole so I ended up with a bogey. I am going to stick to my routine, continue this rhythm and keep smiling for the next two rounds.”
Namchok said: “I had a good start today from the 10, nailing four birdies in five holes before stumbling with one double bogey on the 18. I told myself to just keep playing and not think about the double bogey.
“I am just going to enjoy my game tomorrow and continue to do what I have been doing.”