Jazz, Weber share lead in Mena golf
HUA HIN (THAILAND) — Jazz Janewattananond took advantage of the benign early morning conditions to bring himself back into contention going into the final round of the Mena Tour’s MahaSamutr Masters at Banyan Golf Club on Wednesday, a Press release said.
The talented Thai backed his opening 70 with a bogey-free four-under 68 to join overnight joint leader Lionel Weber in a two-way tie for the lead at sixunder 138, one clear of England’s Jordan Garnish, who returned with a second-round 71.
The Thai duo of Suradit Yongcharoenchai and Ratchapol Jantavara were tied for fourth a further shot adrfit as Varanyu Rattanaphaibulkij, also of Thailand, and England’s Zane Scotland, who shared the overnight lead with France’s Weber, slipped to tied eighth after carding matching scores of 75.
“I had a pretty solid round today. I started early in the morning and that helped. It got a bit windy on Tuesday afternoon, but this morning we had a bit of an advantage as it was very still out there,” said Janewattananond.
“I did well on the back nine, scoring three of my four birdies. I love the idea of using range finders and golf buggies on the MENA Tour. I think I just need to get my rhythm going as there are a lot of good golfers on the leaderboard,” he added.
France’s Weber, who is also a Banyan Golf Club ambassador, made three birdies against two bogeys en route to a second-round 71 to hold on to his overnight lead.
Meanwhile, Wolmer Murillo of Venezuela, who finished second here last year, kept his hopes alive, moving into a tie for sixth on three after a second round 71.
Dubai-based Tiago Lobo of Brazil matched the day’s best of a 68 to sit atop the amateur division along with India’s Rayhan Thomas on one-under, six ahead of Victoria Tip-Aucha, the first female to play in a Mena Tour event, who signed for a 76.
Elsewhere, England’s Andrew Marshall carded back-to-back 73s that left him tied for 32nd in an 11-man group which included Craig Hinton, the winner of the Mena Tour’s Order of Merit title last year.
The cut was made at four-over 148 with 44 professionals and 10 amateurs making it to the final round.