Lam Storms ahead

The Nation

[GOLF] Singapore's Lam Chih Bing shot a superb six-under par 66 for a two-stroke lead at the half-way stage of the US$750,000 Volvo Masters of Asia at Thai Country Club yesterday.

The 32-year-old got off to a flying start with five birdies on the front nine. Although he suffered a lone bogey on the 17th, he bounced right back to birdie the final hole to lead the clubhouse with a two-day total of nine-under par 135.

 "Just being here this week, I've already achieved my goal this year. I'm very happy to be here and whatever happens will be a bonus,'' said Lam whose best result on the Asian Tour this season was a 10th place at the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational.

Tied at second was a pack of chasers including local young gun Chapchai Nirat who sank seven birdies against a bogey on the ninth hole for a round of 66 and seven-under 137 on aggregate.

 "My strategy was to save par four and par five holes. I will stick to this plan going to the weekend rounds. My goal for the Asian Tour is to finish inside the top 20 and win at least a title. This is my last chance to fulfil it,'' said Chapchai, who has yet to win a trophy since his triumph in Vietnam last year.

 Joining the Thai at the second best spot was the Australian duo of Mitchell Brown and Marcus Both as well as Filipino Antonio Lascuna. Both Brown and Lascuna yesterday fired 67s whereas Both hit four-under par 68.

 "I hit two and tee shots today on nine and 18 and was punished for them with a double bogey and a bogey. The wind on those holes affected the ball. I hit a draw and it did not come back,'' said Both, currently No 35 on the Orders of Merit.

 A stroke behind was another Thai hope, Chawalit Plaphol, who carded a 67 for a total six-under par 138. He shared the sixth spot with Taiwan's Lin Wen-tang.

 Title holder Prayad Marksaeng finally found his momentum on the second day, firing his lowest score at the 7,094-yard course with a seven-under 65. It was a quick recovery after a disappointing first day where he hit two over.

 "I was feeling a lot more comfortable playing in the morning. The green was softer and the wind was not as strong as it was in the afternoon. I was relaxed not having so many audiences in the morning,'' said Prayad whose dazzling round was highlighted by an eagle on the 5th hole.

 "I hit iron nine to nine feet off the hole and made the putt. I got my tempo from then on,'' said Prayad alone at 8th with five-under par 139.

 Overnight leader Neven Basic of Australia was at joint ninth after a dismal 74, with four-under 140.

 Thongchai Jaidee's hat-trick campaign was cut short yesterday after the Thai stalwart hit a 74 for a three-over par 147. He was nowhere near the form that saw him dominate back-to-back events in Vietnam and Cambodia in the past couple of weeks.

 "Playing for six weeks took its toll on me. I felt exhausted and I didn't think I could chase the leading group,'' said the former two-time champion at joint 49th.

 There is good news for fans as no admission fees will be charged today and tomorrow.

 Scores

Leading scores yesterday after the second round:

135 - Lam Chih Bing (SIN) 69-66

137 - Chapchai Nirat (THA) 71-66, Mitchell Brown (AUS) 70-67, Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 70-67, Marcus Both (AUS) 69-68

138 - Chawalit Plaphol (THA) 71-67, Lin Wen-tang (TPE) 68-70

139 - Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 74-65

140 - Simon Griffiths (ENG) 72-68, Kim Kyung-tae (KOR) 72-68, Rhys Davies (WAL) 72-68, Gaurav Ghei (IND) 70-70, Hendrik Buhrmann (RSA) 69-71, Neven Basic (AUS) 66-74, Adam Blyth (AUS) 68-72

141 - Rick Kulacz (AUS) 72-69

142 - Mark Brown (NZL) 72-70, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 71-71, Danny Chia (MAS) 71-71, Andrew Dodt (AUS) 70-72