2008 Asian Tour International - Round 2: Lin leads in clubhouse as darkness falls

Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-tang carded a strong four-under-par 68 for the clubhouse lead in the second round at the Asian Tour International on Friday.

Lin, with two wins on the Asian Tour, birdied the final 18th hole for the sole lead at the weather-disrupted event at Pattana Golf and Country Club. Filipino Juvic Pagunsan is enjoying his Thai campaign after a 66 pushed him up to joint second place alongside Yasin Ali of England and Singapore’s Mardan Mamat who carded matching 67s.

Thai duo of Piya Swangarunporn and Wisut Artjanawat completed their rounds with a 65 and 68 respectively to lie in a tie for fifth place in the US$300,000 event.

After firing 64s in the opening round, overnight leaders Sattaya Supupramai of Thailand and Korea’s 16-year-old talent Noh Seung-yul were both on five under today before play was suspended at 6:16pm due to darkness.

But it was Lin who edged ahead in the morning thanks to solid driving with six birdies against two dropped shots but the Chinese Taipei star walked away with mixed feelings.

“I am very happy with my position but I could have done better with my score. The ball lipped out on four occasions today and it can get a bit frustrating. I was putting well too but yet I missed a few close ones.

“It’s one of those days but I’m pleased with my iron play. I was using a nine iron on the par three holes while my partner Unho (Park) was taking it off a seven iron. Even he was impressed with my iron game so I hope to take the positives heading into the weekend rounds,” said Lin, who hopes to take an easy approach this week.

“I’m taking it easy and not stressing myself even when things go wrong. That’s how I won the events before and that’s what I’m doing this week. I would tend to get upset but I will remind myself to take it easy and it’s been working well,” admitted Lin, who won his maiden title at the 2006 Taiwan Open. He claimed his second title on the Asian Tour a year later at the 2007 Brunei Open.

Filipino Juvic Pagunsan, who finished tied second at the Volvo Masters of Asia in Bangkok last December, continued to impress in Thailand with a bogey free round.

“I shot six birdies today and I’ve been doing well so far. I really like the weather here and the Thai people are nice just like in my country. But sometimes I even feel more at home here as I’m really comfortable on and off the course,” said Pagunsan, who enjoyed his breakthrough win at the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational last year.

England’s Yasin, who is roommates with Mardan in Pattana, was pleased to get back in the mix after his second straight 67.

“An awesome result for me. I had really good ball control and I’ve been making lots of birdie putts. I had a ridiculous birdie putt yesterday as I struck a 35 footer with a seven foot break for birdie. Today was great too,” said Yasin, who is bouncing back from an injury plagued year last season.

Singapore’s Mardan shares a similar sentiment heading into the weekend rounds after a bogey free 67.

“It’s about time for Yasin and myself to get up there in the mix. We both played well. I was pretty lucky in a few holes but overall a nice solid round of golf,” said the 40-year-old Mardan.

Korean teenager Noh, who finished runner-up at the Sail Open last month, was five under after 12 holes before the suspension of play due to darkness.

“When play was interrupted earlier because of lightning, I came into the clubhouse quite relaxed actually. The two hour and 10 minute delay helped me calm down even more and I wasn’t worried at all. On my return to the course on the fourth hole, I struck three straight birdies which was fantastic. But I was unable to finish my round as it got dark. I hope to have a similar run when I come back tomorrow,” said Noh.

Starting on the back nine, Sattaya was equal to the task firing an eagle at the second hole followed by three birdies today.

“It was great. I played well and I’m happy with where I am. I have five more holes to play in the second round so I hope to remain calm and finish the second round tomorrow on top,” said Sattaya.

A total of 51 players will return to complete their second round at 7am on Saturday.

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

133 - Lin Wen-tang (TPE) 65-68
134 - Yasin Ali (ENG) 67-67, Mardan Mamat (SIN) 67-67, Juvic Pagunsan (PHI) 68-66
135 - Piya Swangarunporn (THA) 70-65, Wisut Artjanawat (THA) 67-68
136 - Marcus Both (AUS) 70-66, Will Yanagisawa (USA) 68-68
137 - Scott Hend (AUS) 69-68, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 71-66, Mitsuhiro Tateyama (JPN) 66-71
138 - Somkiat Srisanga (THA) 68-70, Dinesh Chand (FIJ) 73-65
139 - Ben Leong (MAS) 67-72, Tony Carolan (AUS) 71-68, Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 70-69, Lam Chih Bing (SIN) 71-68, Yoshinobu Tsukada (JPN) 71-68, Thepthat Senawong (THA) 72-67, Mitchell Brown (AUS) 71-68

Other scores:

140 - Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 72-68
141 - Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 70-71

March 21, 2008