2007 Mercuries Taiwan Masters - Round 2: Oh has Clubhouse lead as play suspended

Oh, 31, who is eager for an improved outing after a lone third place finish last year, battled through a wet and windy day on course for a two-day total of five-under-par 139. After his second round performance, Oh enjoyed a six-stroke cushion over the rest of the field at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club.

Defending champion Gaurav Ghei was among the 54 players who have yet to complete their round before play was suspended at 5:55pm due to darkness. The second round will resume at 6:50am on Saturday.

But it was inclement weather at the Tamsui Course that resulted in two delays in the second round with the first suspension coming in at 7:45am. Play was resumed at 10:30am before heavy rain forced a second suspension at 1:33pm. The players then resumed play at 2:20pm.

But the disruptions did not rattle the Korean leader who remained steady in the second round with seven birdies against three bogeys in the US$500,000 event.

Chinese Taipei’s Chen Yuan-chi carded a 69 in tied second place alongside amateur Chiang Chen-chi who shot a 73. Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng, who is currently ranked ninth on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit, delivered a 74 in tied fourth spot alongside New Zealand’s Brad Iles who posted a 73 for a 146 total. Joining the duo was Filipino youngster Artemio Murakami who slipped to a 75.

Oh, who turned pro in 1999, was three under after 15 holes before the second delay. The California-based stalwart returned on course with a bogey on the 16th but cemented his position at the top of the pack with a 30 foot birdie putt on the 17th hole coupled with a birdie on the par four 18th hole.

“Another solid round for me today and I am really happy to take the clubhouse lead. Even the delays could not prevent me from shooting another good round as there is something about this place that makes me deliver a good score,” said Oh, who is gunning for his best finish this season.

“It was a good day for me. Despite the bogey, I bounced back with two birdies in my last two holes and I will return in the third round hoping to continue what I’ve been doing. I’ve been in contention before and I always crumble at the end because I am too eager to win. I will not think of a title charge this week but instead focus on what I’ve been doing right in the past two days,” admitted Oh, the 2001 Asian Tour Qualifying School winner.

Chen, who finished in the top-10 in the 2005 edition, emulated the Korean on the greens shrugging off the tough conditions with six birdies against three birdies.

“I was putting well and I was not thinking about the rain and the delays. I guess playing in the same group as Ted benefited me too as he was steady on the greens today considering the wet conditions out here,” said Chen.

Filipino Murakami, who enjoyed his maiden win at the Iskandar Johor Open last month, slipped on the way home with two double bogeys at the Tamsui Course but the 24-year-old star has already set a benchmark over the weekend.

“I want to shoot a three under or four under in the third round. If I can do that, then I know I have a chance because I will place myself in a similar position as where I was in Johor. In this course, anything can happen and I am sure of producing a good score to stay in contention,” said Murakami.

Making a return to the course since his last appearance in 1997, Thailand’s Prayad will be eyeing a solid result this week eager to improve his ranking on the UBS Order of Merit.

“I have already set my mind for a good finish this week because I want to be ranked fifth on the UBS Order of Merit this year. I want to pick up the momentum over the weekend and grind it out to reach that goal,” said Prayad, who also focuses his game on Japan.

India’s S.S.P Chowrasia was among those who were in joint 12th place after a slow 78 for a 150 total.

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

139 - Ted Oh (KOR) 71-68

145 - Chiang Chen-chi [A] (TPE) 72-73, Chen Yuan-chi (TPE) 76-69

146 - Brad Iles (NZL) 73-73, Artemio Murakami (PHI) 71-75, Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 72-74

147 - Ashley Hall (AUS) 76-71, Jason Knutzon (USA) 75-72, Chen Tsang-te (TPE) 74-73

148 - Lin Wen-hong (TPE) 73-75

149 - Chris Rodgers (ENG) 71-78

150 - Jin Park (USA) 75-75, Chan Shi-Chang [A] (TPE) 75-75, Adam Groom (AUS) 72-78, Rahil Gangjee (IND) 78-72, S.S.P. Chowrasia (IND) 72-78, Richard Lee (NZL) 75-75, Sung Mao-Chang (TPE) 73-77, Kim Hye-dong (KOR) 75-75, 151 - Lee Sung (KOR) 72-79, Roy Moon (USA) 73-78

152 - Lu Wen-hsyong (TPE) 74-78, Ross Bain (SCO) 74-78, Chan Yih-shin (TPE) 75-77, Young Nam (KOR) 75-77, Gerald Rosales (PHI) 76-76

September 21, 2007