Chang takes over lead with 67

Chinese Taipei's Chang Tse-peng put to good use his 'home course' knowledge as he soared into the halfway lead at the US$300,000 Taiwan Open on Friday.

The 35-year-old produced a second successive five-under-par 67 at Chang Gung Golf Club, a course he calls home, to lead the Asian Tour event on 10-under-par 134. Chang is one stroke ahead of Terry Pilkadaris of Australia , who charged into contention with an outstanding bogey-free 65.

American left-hander Edward Loar was a further two strokes back on 137 alongside overnight leader Adam Blyth and Brad Kennedy, both from Australia .

Thailand 's Thaworn Wiratchant, ranked second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, bounced back from a dismal opening 73, shooting a second round 65 for tied sixth place on 138, four off the pace.

The attention is very much on Chang, who is looking to improve on last year's tied third finish. Chang's familiarity with the subtle breaks on the greens saw him snare five birdies against no bogeys.

"I feel really comfortable this week. I'm playing in Taipei and I'm really relaxed. I've played the Chang Gung course regularly during my amateur days and I consider this my home course. So that has helped me this week," said Chang.

Thanks to crisp iron play, all his birdies were from inside 10 feet. Last year, Chang, a distant cousin to former tennis star Michael Chang, came close to victory and with two rounds to go, he is desperate to win in front of his home fans.

"This year, my form has not been so good. I came close last year so hopefully, I will have a chance again this weekend. I will try very hard," said Chang, who is bidding to become the first local winner here since 1998.

With three career titles in Asia over the past one year, Pilkadaris looms as a main threat to Chang's title ambition. The Aussie, who won the Brunei Open in June, was in sparkling form with seven birdies on the card.

Another player making a run is unheralded Thai, Chapchai Nirat, who shot a 68 to tie Thaworn, Filipino Gerald Rosales, Canadian veteran Rick Gibson and Chinese Taipei's Lu Wen-hsyong on 138.

At last week's Singapore Open, Chapchai enjoyed a fairy-tale run, staying in contention throughout the week before finishing tied 11th for a career payday of over US$35,000 in Asia 's richest national Open.

The halfway cut was set at even par 144 today, with 73 players progressing into the last two rounds.

The Taiwan Open is the 18th leg of this season's Asian Tour, which is offering over US$20 million in total prize money.

Leading second round scores

134 - Chang Tse-peng (TPE) 67-67

135 - Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 70-65

137 - Edward Loar ( USA ) 69-68, Brad Kennedy (AUS) 66-71, Adam Blyth (AUS) 65-72

138 - Gerald Rosales (PHI) 71-67, Lu Wen-hsyong (TPE) 69-69, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 73-65, Chapchai Nirat (THA) 70-68, Rick Gibson (CAN) 69-69

139 - Scott Strange (AUS) 67-72, Lu Wei-lan (TPE) 70-69, Shiv Kapur (IND) 73-66, Wang Ter-chang (TPE) 75-64

140 - Pat Giles (AUS) 65-75, Lin Chie-hsiang (TPE) 72-68, David Bransdon (AUS) 69-71, Chen Tze-ming (TPE) 72-68

141 - Chen Tsang-te (TPE) 73-68, Yeh Chang-ting (TPE) 69-72, Chris Rodgers (ENG) 75-66, Andrew Buckle (AUS) 71-70, Lu Wen-teh (TPE) 72-69, Lin Chien-bing (TPE) 69-72, Gaurav Ghei (IND) 71-70, Jason Dawes (AUS) 68-73, Tsai Chi-huang (TPE) 71-70, Arjun Singh (IND) 72-69, Ted Oh (KOR) 71-70, Kao Bo-song (TPE) 67-74, Hsieh Chin-sheng (TPE) 71-70

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