Thongchai stays ahead at halfway point

Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee produced a stunning finish of three closing birdies en route to a six-under-par 66 as his title defence of the Carlsberg Malaysian Open stayed firmly on track today.

The Asian Tour number one has a two-round score of 14-under-par 130 at Saujana Golf and Country Club and leads by two strokes from birthday boy Thomas Bjorn, who charged into contention with a flawless 64.

Prom Meesawat, crediting his strong run after receiving tips from his father, made it another day to cherish for the Thais with an impressive 65 for joint third place on 11-under-par 133 with Swede Henrik Stenson, three behind the champion.

Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez was tied fifth on 135 while Irish star Padraig Harrington was a further two strokes back in the event jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.

Thongchai turned in one under before showing why he was Asia 's undisputed king with another breathtaking exhibition of golf on the inward nine. He birdied the 11th and 13th from five feet before producing some sparkling shots over the closing holes.

On the par three 16th, which he aced in the final round during last year's triumph, Thongchai struck a magnificent six iron which hit the flag before stopping a foot of the hole. At the next, he punched a shot from a poor lie to tap-in distance before setting up another easy birdie at the closing par five.

Thongchai, who has shot 30, 31 and 31 on the back nine in his last three rounds here, said: "The front nine is always quiet for me. I always can't shoot a score there but it's a bit different on the back nine. There are a lot of chances there, some short par fours and birdie opportunities on the par fives."

It had earlier looked like Bjorn, celebrating his 34th birthday, would take over the driver's seat from first day leader Thongchai after a nine-birdie round in the morning. But the former Thai soldier showed he would not surrender his title without a fight and is now looking forward to a third round showdown with the big Dane.

"I saw Thomas finishing on 12-under and congratulated him before I teed off (in the afternoon). I had to play my own game, which is always fairways, greens and putts. I've played with Thomas about three or four times previously. He's beaten me in the past but this week is different. I would like to win again. I'm the defending champion," he said.

The 20-year-old Prom, playing in his second year on the Asian Tour, ensured a strong Thai presence on the leaderboard by shooting seven birdies and is now bogey free for two rounds. The 20-year-old credited his solid run to his father Suthep, who was the first Thai to win the Thailand Open.

"I'm very happy. No bogeys in two rounds and finishing up my round this evening before dark. I'm playing well and hitting some nice shots. I've got a new putter this week and seems to be rolling the ball nicely with it. Made some long putts, holed from 30 feet on the sixth and 40 feet on the ninth. The rest of my birdies were from inside 15 feet.

"Last week, I played three rounds with my father. My irons weren't working out too well and he simply told me to not think too much on the technique but to simply visualise the ball to the greens. It seems to be working here. I called him last night after shooting a 68 and his said 'don't miss the cut tomorrow'. I'm sure he'll be surprised when I call him later and tell him I shot a 65 and that I'm on the leaderboard."

Bjorn has come close to victory in recent months in Asia , finishing second in the Volvo China Open and joint fourth in the Omega Hong Kong Open and Caltex Masters presented by Carlsberg in Singapore . "64 is a good gift. It was a nice way to spend your birthday. It was a good round in tough conditions. The course is not playing that tough but it is tough to be out there (in the heat).

"I got off to a really good start on the first two holes and just settled into the round really easily. I hit the ball really well and didn't make any mistakes except for a three putt on the third which was the only blip.

The Dane, who was one of the Bernhard Langer's assistants when Europe won the Ryder Cup last year against the Americans, said he didn't feel like it was going to be his week when he arrived in Malaysia . But he said a drill where he placed a glove under his left arm seems to have done wonders.

"I stood on the range on Tuesday and Wednesday and it wasn't really what I was looking for. I found a few keys and have gone with that and it has started to work. My warm up is with a glove under my arm. I get the feeling and then go out on the course."

Harrington moved into position for the weekend, shooting a bogey free 66 for a seven-under total, seven off the pace. "Today was very average," conceded the Dubliner. "I had so many chances yesterday (he shot 71) and couldn't convert and today, I didn't have any where near as many chances but I converted them. That's golf," added Harrington, ranked eighth in the world.

One player, Olle Nordberg of Sweden will return tomorrow morning to finish his second round. He is one under par for the tournament. The projected cut is even par 144 with a total of 74 players being level par or better.

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