2007 Iskandar Johor Open - Round 2: Knutzon and Park lead as darkness falls

Australia’s Unho Park and Jason Knutzon of United States grabbed the clubhouse lead with a two stroke advantage at the weather-disrupted Iskandar Johor Open on Friday.

Park battled through inclement weather for his second straight 69 while Knutzon blasted a 67 for a four-under-par 138 total in the second round at the Royal Johor Country Club.

Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit leader Liang Wen-chong, who shot a 68 in the opening round, was one over for the day with two holes to play before play was suspended at 7:00pm due to darkness.

Asian Tour’s Airil Rizman enjoyed a solid home run with a 69 in joint third place alongside rookie Taichiro Kiyota of Japan who was even-par for the day. Clay Devers of United States improved with a 69 while Scotsman Simon Yates rose up the ranks after a 70 in tied fifth spot at the US$300,000 event.

Park, who is ranked 16th on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit, fired four birdies against two dropped shots as he hopes to play it cool heading into the third round.

“My putting was good and I was striking the ball better than yesterday. If I looked back at my stats, I only hit eight greens in regulation on Thursday but today it was much better. I didn’t hole that many putts though. Overall, it was a solid round for me.

“I haven’t really led in an Asian Tour event down to the final round. I have not held on heading on the final stretch, so if it happens, it will be a new thing for me. I am used to chasing the leader, but not fending off the pack,” said Park.

Knutzon, who won the Motorola International Bintan, was pleased to be back on track with his game after losing grip since his triumph in March.

“I am really happy. I haven’t really played well since Indonesia. I was even struggling last week but it’s amazing how I can refocus. I hit it really close to the pin and I am pleased because it is a challenging course

“I was on target on the fairway but I actually like playing on firm greens. The rain earlier on had made it softer but I had fun out there. I had only one bogey today and played really solid, something I hope to maintain,” said Knutzon, who carded five birdies.

Airil, who lifted the Pakistan Open title in January, was on the first hole when lightning disrupted play in the early stages of the round at 8:08am. Play was resumed at 9:20am before the lightning storm returned for a second suspension at 11:32am.

It was a timely break for Airil who had just finished the first nine before heading out to complete the remaining nine holes when play resumed at 1:00pm. Airil posted five birdies against three dropped shots.

“I was on the first tee box when the horn blew. When I had completed nine holes, the second suspension came about so that went my way. It helped me today. I got some lucky breaks in the first two days, so it’s been a good ride.

“My short game has been good. I am not comfortable with my driver though and I might consider some changes, I’ll figure it out. Probably a new technique or a change in mindset, I will think of something for another solid round tomorrow,” said Airil.

A total of 69 players will head out to complete the second round at 7:30am on Saturday.

Leading second round scores (click here for full leaderboard), with 69 players still to finish:

138 - Jason Knutzon (USA) 71-67, Unho Park (AUS) 69-69

140 - Taichiro Kiyota (JPN) 69-71, Airil Rizman (MAS) 71-69

141 - Clay Devers (USA) 72-69, Simon Yates (SCO) 71-70

142 - Lin Wen-tang (TPE) 71-71, Lu Wen-teh (TPE) 70-72

143 - Lin Wen-hong (TPE) 72-71, Tony Lascuna (PHI) 72-71, Martin Rominger (SUI) 71-72

144 - Atthaphon Prathummanee (THA) 72-72, Gary Rusnak (USA) 75-69, Richard Lee (NZL) 72-72, Hsu Mong-nan (TPE) 74-70, Guido Van Der Valk (NLD) 73-71, S. Sivachandran (MAS) 74-70

145 - Jason King (AUS) 70-75, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 71-74, Chinarat Phadungsil (THA) 75-70, Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND) 74-71, Olle Nordberg (SWE) 72-73

August 24, 2007

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