Jakarta: Thai hotshot Gunn Charoenkul hit a seven-under-par 65 in the second round of the Indonesian Masters yesterday to stay in contention for his first Asian Tour title.
Gunn's two-day total of 133 put him two shots behind leader Josh Younger's halfway leading tally of 131.
The Australian, who claimed his first victory in his 10 years as a professional two weeks ago, also fired a 65 in the second round at Royale Jakarta Golf Club.
South Africa's Keith Horne was second on 132 following a 67.
Alex Cejka of Germany registered a 66 to settle three shots off the pace in fourth while American Sihwan Kim, Thai star Prom Meesawat and India's Shiv Kapur shared fifth place on matching 135s following rounds of 66, 68 and 65 respectively.
After opening his title defence with a 73, Thailand's Poom Saksansin bounced back with a 68 to move to tied-39th place while countryman and 2019 Order of Merit champion Jazz Janewattananond settled seven shots off the lead in tied-14th place following a 70.
"It's been great so far. I didn't make a single bogey in two rounds. The swing's feeling pretty good too. It was hotter today but it's still all right," said Younger, 35, who won the NSW Open on the PGA Tour of Australasia two weeks ago.
"I just got my first professional win two weeks ago in New South Wales. It was nice to finally get my breakthrough. It's my first win in almost 10 years as a professional.
"I'm just going to keep playing my own game and hopefully my good form continues and I can hold a few putts."
Gunn has spent most of this season playing on the Japan Golf Tour where he has racked up 10 top-10 finishes, including a tied-fourth at last week's season-ending Golf Nippon Series JT Cup, finishing 21st in the money rankings for the year.
He said: "I would say I played pretty good for someone who didn't have any sleep so far. I arrived in Jakarta yesterday [Thursday] morning at five o'clock.
"I've been learning a lot while spending my time in Japan. I have figured out what I need to do with my game. Earlier in the year I was in the [United] States just traveling, learning different stuff, finding new things and then trying to apply it.
"I've been putting really good, which is strange. I mean, maybe it's a lack of sleep because normally I don't putt this good.
"I made a couple of long putts, really long putts, and that really helps. The same thing happened in the first round.
"I've had a lot of surprises this year. I didn't expect myself to be playing this consistent throughout the year."