BANGKOK AIRWAYS OPEN RELATED STORIES Bangkok Airways Open home page Bangkok Airways Open Preview Round 1: Lee leads by two with a 66 Round 2: Lee retains lead as Chapchai sets course record Round 3: Lee fires record 62 for 7-shot lead Round 4: Lee goes wire-to-wire for maiden win Final Scores & Prize Money Chawalit looks for return to form for Samui defence Pagunsan looking to forget injury and missed cuts 2006 flashback: Chawalit's bold approach pays off Home favourites look forward to Samui challenge More about the Santiburi Samui Country Club ASIAN GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Ben Leong claims maiden victory PGA: Jeev and Wi tie for ninth Prom targets Thai win in Brunei Shin Ji-yai takes Women's British Open Asian Tour starts 2nd half on a high Norman to play 2009 Johnnie Walker Mission Hills to host AP Summit GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Hanson claims a one stroke win Pettersson wins on his local course Funk wins first senior major title Hull snatches maiden LPGA win Tiger Woods won't swing a club till 2009 Michelle Wie defends herself again

Lee retains clubhouse lead as Chapchai sets course record

Korea’s Lee-sung made a birdie on the final hole of his second round as he hung on to the clubhouse lead at the Bangkok Airways Open on Friday.

Lee, who turned pro in 2000, continued his drive for a maiden title after a two-under-par 69 for a two-day total of seven-under-par 135 at the scenic par-71 Santiburi Samui Country Club.

Play was suspended at 6:40pm due to darkness and will resume at 6:50am on Saturday morning. Filipino Marciano Pucay, Kao Bo-song, Ty Puekdang and Troy Kennedy of Australia will continue play on Saturday.

Local hero Chapchai Nirat ended his round with seven birdies for a new course record of 64 in joint second place. Chapchai beat the previous record of 65 set by compatriot and defending champion Chawalit Plaphol in 2005. Also in tied second position was Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-tang who shot a 67 in the US$300,00 event.

S.S.P Chowrasia of India carded a 66 and leaped to tied fourth spot alongside Singapore’s Mardan Mamat who posted a 65 and Australian young gun Adam Blyth who shot a 68 two strokes off the pace.

Starting on the back nine, Lee took an early stumble with a double bogey on the 11th hole but bounced back with birdies on the 13th and 15th holes. Lee, with the guidance of his brother and caddie Lee Sung-joo, fired a birdie on the first hole and edged ahead of the chasing pack with a two feet birdie putt on the final ninth hole.

“I played well. The last hole was nice. I don’t feel any pressure because I’ve been very focused on my game,” said Lee, who communicates through his brother by lip reading.

“I was very happy with the way I ended the round as my chip in left the ball two feet away for birdie. It was crucial as it gave me a one stroke lead over the other players. I am enjoying myself out there and I always like playing on this course,” he added.

Chapchai, who won the TCL Classic in March, believes that his caddie, Manop Santiet, was the pillar behind his record performance that included seven birdies.

“I get along really well with my caddie who has been with me for the past six months. I am normally an aggressive player but you can’t afford to be too aggressive here. Manop is good at telling me when to go all out and when not to. This was the key today for me,” said Chapchai.

“My 12 foot birdie putt on the 12th hole was the highlight for me because it was a tough out there,” he added.

With the support of his family, Chinese Taipei’s Lin closed in with an eagle at the 559 yards ninth hole as he is eager to produce the winning result this week.

“Just last week I was having a discussion with my wife about moving into a bigger house because my two kids, although still very young, are growing and need more space. I guess this has inspired me to have a strong run here,” said Lin, who ended his title drought with a win at the Taiwan Open last year.

“My putting and approach shots have been very consistent as seen on the ninth hole today. After teeing off, I was 195 yards away from the pin but a superb second shot with my five iron left the ball a mere one feet away for eagle,” added Lin.

Mardan, who finished runner-up in Wales last week, remained cool in Koh Samui with seven birdies against a lone dropped shot.

“I had a bad start with a bogey on the 10th hole but recovered with five straight birdies. I kept my cool and was patient throughout. I wanted it to fall into place and play my own game, so I’m pleased,” said Mardan.

Chowrasia, thanks to a change in putter this week, is back in the groove firing a 66. Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant shot his second straight 69 in tied seventh spot alongside Neven Basic of Australia who improved with a 67. Defending champion Chawalit Plaphol carded a 67 with a 140 total in joint 12th place.

Leading second round scores (click here for full leaderboard):

135 - Lee Sung (KOR) 66-69

136 - Lin Wen-tang (TPE) 69-67, Chapchai Nirat (THA) 72-64

137 - Mardan Mamat (SIN) 72-65, Adam Blyth (AUS) 69-68, S.S.P. Chowrasia (IND) 71-66

138 - Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 69-69, Neven Basic (AUS) 71-67, 139 - Prom Meesawat (THA) 72-67, Gurbaaz Mann (IND) 73-66, Taichiro Kiyota (JPN) 70-69

140 - Lu Wen-teh (TPE) 71-69, Tony Lascuna (PHI) 70-70, Ben Leong (MAS) 71-69

Chawalit Plaphol (THA) 73-67

141 - Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 71-70, Shimizu Yoichi (JPN) 70-71, Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 69-72, Chris Rodgers (ENG) 70-71, Yeh Chang-ting (TPE) 69-72, Guido Van Der Valk (NLD) 69-72

June 8, 2007