LINKOU: Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat and John Catlin of the United States shared the second round honours as the duo took a two-shot lead into the weekend rounds at the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship yesterday.
Panuphol signed for a three-underpar 69 while Catlin returned with a 68 to stay ahead of Thailand’s Prom Meesawat, American Kim Si-Hwan and Taiwan’s Hung Chien-yao with their two-day total of six-under 138.
Panuphol, who is chasing his third Asian Tour title this week, was quick off the blocks with two birdies in his opening four holes. A bogey-five on nine was his only blemish of the day as he cruised home with another pair of birdies on 13 and 16 at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club.
“I’m in a very good position going into the weekend rounds and it’s really a welcome relief, especially having missed the cut in my last two events,” said Panuphol.
“I just have to keep on playing like what I’ve been doing the last two rounds. It was fun out there with my playing partner [Catlin] and hopefully we can do more of the same thing when the weekend comes.”
Like Panuphol, Catlin is also targeting his third victory on the Asian Tour. The American, who has already won twice this season, has been carrying an impressive form into the US$500,000 event.
Catlin reached the turn in 33 with three birdies on holes two, four and eight. He birdied 10 but dropped a shot on 11 before swiftly recovering with another birdie on 12.
“I made a couple of clutch putts which made the round even more memorable. Coconut [Panuphol] and I were playing well and it was a nice battle back and forth. And that’s what you try to look out for as it keeps the momentum going and have someone in your group pushing you.”
After taking the overnight lead with a 66, which included making his second ace as a professional, Hung had a round to forget. He mixed his card with three bogeys and one birdie to slip to a share of third place.
“The only mistake I can think of all day was the 9-iron on 11. But other than that, I was pretty solid from tee to green,” said Catlin.
South Africa’s Justin Harding stepped up his chase for his hat-trick of titles on the Asian Tour by returning with a 69 to take sixth place while India’s Viraj Madappa, who opened with a 76, stormed back to life with a 66 to grab a share of seventh place.