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Safe and sound

Sarit springs a surprise at the Thailand Open with another round of 65 at Thai Country Club

Sarit Suwannarut tees off during the second round.
Sarit Suwannarut tees off during the second round.

Chachoengsao: Local player Sarit Suwannarut emerged as the surprise package at the Thailand Open by grabbing the second-round clubhouse lead yesterday.

Playing in only his second Asian Tour tournament, the big-hitting 20-year-old averaged 322.5 yards en route to a second straight five-under-par 65 as he led the weather interrupted tournament on 10-under-par 130.

Play was suspended at 6.45pm due to darkness after thunderstorms halted play for more than an hour in the morning.

Five players will return this morning at 6.45am to complete round two.

Sarit, who joined the play-for-pay ranks earlier this year, produced a flawless card with five birdies to lead by one-shot over Panuphol Pittayarat, who equalled the week's low round of 64 on his home course at the Thai Country Club.

After changing his driver for the sixth time this year, Poom Saksansin fired a solid 66 to charge into contention for a third Asian Tour victory on a 132 total.

Sarit studied at the Virginia Tech University in the United States last year before returning to Thailand to pursue his golf career.

He is a regular on the local circuit and has won two out of three long drive competitions this year.

Sarit, who said that he is playing without any expectations this week, has dropped only one shot in 36 holes and is in prime position to win his first Asian Tour title.

"I feel pretty good about my game. My putting was exceptional the last two days and I made a lot of long putts. I'm a bit surprised my putting is this good but it will be the key this week. I want to go out there and have fun. I'm not thinking about winning," he said.

"I'm feeling the pressure. I came back from the United States because I didn't play good golf there.

"I turned pro immediately. On the local tour, they have long drive competitions at tournaments. I won it twice in three outings.

"I played football when I was seven or eight but I injured myself and I could barely walk. When I got hurt, I watched my father play golf and I took his club and hit the ball on my first try. That's when my parents said I should start playing golf.

"My nickname is 'Safe' because my mom lost my brother while she was pregnant. She wanted me to be safe so I got this nickname. I'm the only child in the family."

Panuphol said: "I'm very happy to be on nine-under, especially on my home course. I didn't expect to finish birdie, birdie. I went into the restaurant [during the rain suspension] and had two boiled eggs. When I returned to the course, I finished with two birdies! If it is one egg for one birdie then I will have eight eggs tomorrow!"

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