2006 Crowne Plaza Open - Round 2: Lin cards an ace for 64 and halfway lead

Chinese Taipei's Lin Wen-tang fired a magical hole-in-one in his second round of eight-under-par 64 to grab the halfway lead at the Crowne Plaza Open on Friday.

Lin's 10th career ace saw him take a two-shot lead from overnight leader Chinarat Phadungsil of Thailand, who carded a 68 in the US$200,000 Asian Tour event at Yalong Bay Golf Club.

Australian Adam Blyth was a further stroke back after a second successive 67 while last season's number one Thaworn Wiratchant stayed in the title hunt with an unblemished 67 that left him four off the pace.

India's Amandeep Johl carded a 69 for fifth place while title holder Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand stayed on the fringe of contention with a matching 69 to lie six behind the new leader.

Lin, who has posted 12 career top-10s in Asia but is searching for the elusive victory, achieved his superb feat at the par three third hole, firing a sweetly-struck pitching wedge that took one bounce before finding the cup. He shot seven other birdies, thanks to crisp iron play, against a lone bogey for a 13-under-par 131 total.

"It took one bounce and disappeared. It's luck," said Lin. "Last week, I also shot a hole-in-one during the second round of a local event in Taipei, so I must be very lucky."

After finding every fairway, the 32-year-old peppered the flags with a wonderful display of attacking golf. "My irons are very good now. I'm hitting it close to the flags and converting three or four foot putts. Hopefully, I can maintain this form as I would like to win this week. My brother (Lin Wen-ko) beat me to a first Asian Tour title several years ago and my best is second place."

Thai teenager Chinarat fired seven birdies but dropped three bogeys to slip off the lead. Chinarat, the youngest winner in Asia following his triumph in Thailand last season when he was still an amateur, was confident of keeping his foot on the pedal.

"It's a good position to be in. I putted solidly again but I'm still struggling with my driving," said the Thai, who is 30th on the UBS Order of Merit. "I feel confident. However, it is not easy to win as there are so many good players on Tour. But I feel I'm playing better golf now than I was last year."

Chinarat started his day from the 10th and subsequently dropped a first bogey at the par three 11th hole after missing the green but the talented youngster, who is a former world amateur junior champion, bounced back with a splendid run of six birdies over eight holes in mid-round. He sank two more birdies against just as many bogeys coming home.

The 24-year-old Blyth, playing in his second season in Asia, is reaping the fruits of his labour after spending the Tour's summer break working hard at his swing with coach Jim Bardon in Brisbane. Part of the reason for the change in attitude was after he realised he had to flick through two pages before finding his position on the UBS Order of Merit, which was 74th. "The past month, I've practised really hard back home, all day and every day.

"I'd say that's the reason why (I'm playing well). I'm working hard so that I know my swing a bit better. I wasn't happy with my form in the first half of the year. It's been pretty slow and the results didn't come."

Blyth hopes a maiden professional victory will repay his father's sacrifice. Blyth senior, who is mechanic, sold off his business in 2000 to move the family to Brisbane in search of the pot of gold in golf. "I always wanted to turn professional, so I'm just living the dream. My father has been a big influence. He had a thriving business in Yeppoon (near Brisbane) and he gave it up and we moved to Brisbane as we wanted tougher competition for me. We had no money or nothing. Without him, it wouldn't have happened."

Johl was delighted to remain in the title mix although his recent swing change has yet to click in. He shot five birdies against two dropped shots. "I'm just happy. I made a few mistakes. Sometimes the swing works, sometimes it doesn't. I am keeping my head on the shoulder which is the key. It's just a matter of trusting what I do. If I don't trust it, then I'll hit a bad shot."

The Indian veteran played alongside Chinarat in the opening two rounds and was impressed by the Thai teenager. "Chinarat is playing rock solid. He's playing good. It's surprising to say that he's only 17. He's calm, cool and collected. He's got good technique and a good golf swing. Everything is good about him."

China's Li Chao carded a 71 to be the best placed local player in tied ninth position on 138. A total of 68 players, including six Chinese players, made the halfway cut set at 144.

Leading second round scores

131 - Lin Wen-tang (TPE) 67-64

133 - Chinarat Phadungsil (THA) 65-68

134 - Adam Blyth (AUS) 67-67

135 - Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 68-67

136 - Amandeep Johl (IND) 67-69

137 - Unho Park (AUS) 73-64, Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 68-69, Kim Tae-jin (KOR) 71-66

138 - Kao Bo-Song (TPE) 69-69, Chapchai Nirat (THA) 68-70, Gaurav Ghei (IND) 71-67, Li Chao (CHN) 67-71, Harmeet Kahlon (IND) 69-69, Robin Hodgetts (AUS) 67-71

139 - Lam Chih Bing (SIN) 71-68, Ron Won (USA) 67-72, Ross Bain (SCO) 67-72, Simon Nash (AUS) 70-69, Shabbir Iqbal (PAK) 67-72, Simon Dunn (SCO) 71-68, Wu Wei-huang (CHN) 69-70, Suk Jong-yul (KOR) 70-69

140 - Prom Meesawat (THA) 69-71, Lin Keng-chi (TPE) 69-71, Somkiet Srisanga (THA) 71-69, Yasin Ali (ENG) 71-69, Rahil Gangjee (IND) 70-70, Anton Haig (RSA) 71-69

August 18, 2006

Bookmark page with:

Return to Top of Page