Thailand's
Thongchai Jaidee produced a stunning finish of three closing birdies
en route to a six-under-par 66 as his title defence of the Carlsberg
Malaysian Open stayed firmly on track today.
The Asian Tour number one has a two-round score of 14-under-par
130 at Saujana Golf and Country Club and leads by two strokes from
birthday boy Thomas Bjorn, who charged into contention with a flawless
64.
Prom Meesawat, crediting his strong run after receiving tips from
his father, made it another day to cherish for the Thais with an
impressive 65 for joint third place on 11-under-par 133 with Swede
Henrik Stenson, three behind the champion.
Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez was tied fifth on 135 while Irish
star Padraig Harrington was a further two strokes back in the event
jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.
Thongchai turned in one under before showing why he was Asia's
undisputed king with another breathtaking exhibition of golf on
the inward nine. He birdied the 11th and 13th from five feet before
producing some sparkling shots over the closing holes.
On the par three 16th, which he aced in the final round during
last year's triumph, Thongchai struck a magnificent six iron which
hit the flag before stopping a foot of the hole. At the next, he
punched a shot from a poor lie to tap-in distance before setting
up another easy birdie at the closing par five.
Thongchai, who has shot 30, 31 and 31 on the back nine in his last
three rounds here, said: "The front nine is always quiet for
me. I always can't shoot a score there but it's a bit different
on the back nine. There are a lot of chances there, some short par
fours and birdie opportunities on the par fives."
It had earlier looked like Bjorn, celebrating his 34th birthday,
would take over the driver's seat from first day leader Thongchai
after a nine-birdie round in the morning. But the former Thai soldier
showed he would not surrender his title without a fight and is now
looking forward to a third round showdown with the big Dane.
"I saw Thomas finishing on 12-under and congratulated him
before I teed off (in the afternoon). I had to play my own game,
which is always fairways, greens and putts. I've played with Thomas
about three or four times previously. He's beaten me in the past
but this week is different. I would like to win again. I'm the defending
champion," he said.
The 20-year-old Prom, playing in his second year on the Asian Tour,
ensured a strong Thai presence on the leaderboard by shooting seven
birdies and is now bogey free for two rounds. The 20-year-old credited
his solid run to his father Suthep, who was the first Thai to win
the Thailand Open.
"I'm very happy. No bogeys in two rounds and finishing up
my round this evening before dark. I'm playing well and hitting
some nice shots. I've got a new putter this week and seems to be
rolling the ball nicely with it. Made some long putts, holed from
30 feet on the sixth and 40 feet on the ninth. The rest of my birdies
were from inside 15 feet.
"Last week, I played three rounds with my father. My irons
weren't working out too well and he simply told me to not think
too much on the technique but to simply visualise the ball to the
greens. It seems to be working here. I called him last night after
shooting a 68 and his said 'don't miss the cut tomorrow'. I'm sure
he'll be surprised when I call him later and tell him I shot a 65
and that I'm on the leaderboard."
Bjorn has come close to victory in recent months in Asia, finishing
second in the Volvo China Open and joint fourth in the Omega Hong
Kong Open and Caltex Masters presented by Carlsberg in Singapore.
"64 is a good gift. It was a nice way to spend your birthday.
It was a good round in tough conditions. The course is not playing
that tough but it is tough to be out there (in the heat).
"I got off to a really good start on the first two holes and
just settled into the round really easily. I hit the ball really
well and didn't make any mistakes except for a three putt on the
third which was the only blip.
The Dane, who was one of the Bernhard Langer's assistants when
Europe won the Ryder Cup last year against the Americans, said he
didn't feel like it was going to be his week when he arrived in
Malaysia. But he said a drill where he placed a glove under his
left arm seems to have done wonders.
"I stood on the range on Tuesday and Wednesday and it wasn't
really what I was looking for. I found a few keys and have gone
with that and it has started to work. My warm up is with a glove
under my arm. I get the feeling and then go out on the course."
Harrington moved into position for the weekend, shooting a bogey
free 66 for a seven-under total, seven off the pace. "Today
was very average," conceded the Dubliner. "I had so many
chances yesterday (he shot 71) and couldn't convert and today, I
didn't have any where near as many chances but I converted them.
That's golf," added Harrington, ranked eighth in the world.
One player, Olle Nordberg of Sweden will return tomorrow morning
to finish his second round. He is one under par for the tournament.
The projected cut is even par 144 with a total of 74 players being
level par or better.
Leading second round scores
130 - Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 64-66
132 - Thomas Bj?rn (DEN) 68-64
133 - Henrik Stenson (SWE) 69-64, Prom Meesawat (THA) 68-65
135 - Miguel Angel Jim?nez (ESP) 68-67, Peter Gustafsson (SWE)
70-65
136 - Simon Dyson (ENG) 68-68, Pelle Edberg (SWE) 67-69
Thailand's
Thongchai Jaidee produced a stunning finish of three closing birdies
en route to a six-under-par 66 as his title defence of the Carlsberg
Malaysian Open stayed firmly on track today.
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