2007 Motorola International Bintan - Round 2: Blyth sets course record to share lead at halfway

Australian Adam Blyth fired a new course record of seven-under-par 65 to charge into the joint halfway lead with American Mike Cunning in the inaugural Motorola International Bintan on Friday.

The 25-year-old Blyth, chasing his maiden title on the Asian Tour, was flawless at the spectacular Gary Player-designed Ria Bintan Golf Club as he sank five birdies and an eagle to better the day-old record set by Cunning and New Zealand's Mark Brown.

India's Vivek Bhandari also carded a spectacular 65, an 11 shot improvement from his opening round 76 and was delighted to cancel his holiday plans after safely moving into the weekend rounds.

Cunning, who turns 49 this year, lived up to the old saying "beware the sick golfer" as he laboured to a 69 to retain his overnight lead in the US$350,000 event. The American, winner of Asia's Order of Merit in 1997 and struggling with the flu this week, sank an eagle at the par five 16 for the second straight day and then tied Blyth with a 20-foot birdie at the signature par three 18th hole on this holiday isle off the coast of Singapore.

Korean Ted Oh maintained his push for a maiden title in Asia at the Motorola International Bintan with a 69 that left him in a share of third place with Australian Scott Strange, who carded a 67.

A further stroke back were Thai star Thaworn Wiratchant, Asia's number one in 2005, who carded a 67, Australians Peter Fowler (69) and Scott Hend (68), Canadian Rick Gibson (69) and New Zealand's Mark Brown (71).

Blyth, playing in his third season in the region, said: "This is my career best round. It was kind of a weird round. When I started, I was feeling tired. I then said to myself to wake up and let's start playing golf. I cruised in a couple of under on the front nine and then I holed an eagle on 16 and sank a monster putt from 35 feet on 17. Suddenly, I'm seven under."

The young Australian, whose father gave up a thriving business to fund his son's golfing career in Brisbane, admits that he is in unchartered territory but said a relaxed attitude could well be the key to victory in the Motorola International Bintan.

"I'll still have a couple of beers and just chill out. I will just stay relaxed. That's been my problem, knowing that I'm playing well and then going out and expecting it and trying too hard to achieve it. It's just a matter of letting it happen and enjoying it."

Cunning showed he still had some fight left in his game despite being ill. He eagled the 16th, rifling a three wood approach to 10 feet of the flag. But what took the aches away was a 20 foot birdie conversion at the last hole. "The last three holes, all of the sudden, that was exciting," said Cunning, who is preparing for a career on the Seniors Tour. "It was good to finish with that long birdie as I knew nine under was leading. Unfortunately, I'm not feeling so good. Maybe that's a blessing in disguise."

US-based Oh hopes to finally realise his potential by winning the Motorola International Bintan after enjoying a colourful amateur career where he made global headlines by qualifying for the US Open as a 16-year-old. The Korean, now 30, was Rookie of the Year in Asia in 2001 but has failed to secure his winning breakthrough, with two top-three finishes to show for on his resume plus a couple of domestic wins in Korea.

In the midst of reworking his swing, Oh said his good run has been due largely to his caddie Brian Murphy. "He's just telling me what clubs to hit this week," said Oh, whose card included six birdies against three bogeys. "Brian is keeping me relaxed out there and keeping me in control. On certain holes, I wanted to hit certain clubs but he'd changed the selection and it's been working. I hooked up with him two weeks ago and it's been going well – he hasn't fired me yet!"

Unlike Oh, Strange has won twice in Myanmar and the Philippines but victory at the Motorola International Bintan Bintan would be extra special as he is sponsored by Motorola and managed by Global Premier Sports, the company which is promoting this week's tournament. "Pull off a win on Sunday and it'll be a big party on Sunday night! They might have to leave that tent behind on that 18th green but that's still two days away," said Strange, currently 15th on the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit.

Thaworn was thrilled to be in contention in Ria Bintan as he looks for a record ninth Asian Tour title. The 40-year-old bolted into contention with a superb round that included six birdies against a lone bogey. "I've been struggling with my iron play this season," said Thaworn, who is known as a short-game wizard.

"I don't know what is wrong. At the practice range, it's okay but it's not okay during tournament play. This week, I've put in six new irons into my bag, from Srixon and Maruman. I managed to hit it close on the back nine and putted well," he said.

The halfway cut was set at 144 with 72 players qualifying for the weekend rounds. Local player Illassyak, who added a 70 to his first round 72, was the only Indonesian to survive the cut.

Leading second rounds scores

135 - Adam Blyth (AUS) 70-65, Mike Cunning (USA) 66-69

136 - Ted Oh (KOR) 67-69, Scott Strange (AUS) 69-67

137 - Peter Fowler (AUS) 68-69, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 70-67, Mark Brown (NZL) 66-71, Scott Hend (AUS) 69-68, Rick Gibson (CAN) 68-69

138 - Lin Wen-Tang (TPE) 70-68, Airil Rizman Zahari (MAS) 69-69, Lucas Parsons (AUS) 71-67, Panuwat Muenlek (THA) 69-69, Brad Kennedy (AUS) 70-68, Angelo Que (PHI) 69-69, Gareth Paddison (NZL) 70-68, Clay Devers (USA) 68-70

139 - David Gleeson (AUS) 71-68, Park Jun-won (KOR) 68-71, Unho Park (AUS) 71-68, Tatsuhiko Takahashi (JPN) 70-69, Corey Harris (USA) 72-67

140 - Adam Bland (AUS) 72-68, Roy Moon (USA) 71-69, Adam Groom (AUS) 70-70, Jason Knutzon (USA) 69-71, Yasin Ali (ENG) 69-71, Lin Keng-chi (TPE) 68-72, Scott Barr (AUS) 71-69, Artemio Murakami (PHI) 72-68

141 - Vivek Bhandari (IND) 76-65, Scott Taylor (USA) 71-70, Leigh Mckechnie (AUS) 72-69, Chapchai Nirat (THA) 69-72, P. Gunasegaran (MAS) 68-73, Taichiro Kiyota (JPN) 70-71, Mo Joong-kyung (KOR) 70-71

March 23, 2007

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