Samui: Rookie Poom Saksansin fired a four-under-par 67 yesterday to take a two-shot lead at halfway of the Queen’s Cup.
Poom Saksansin
The former national player, who turned 21 on Wednesday, made four birdies at Santiburi Samui Country Club in the Asian Tour event to stay atop the leaderboard on 133.
South Korea’s Baek Seuk-Hyun (66) was on 135 while Donlaphatchai Niyomchon (68) was third on 136 in the US$300,000 tournament.
Chinnarat Phadungsil (70), who won here in 2009, was tied for fourth on 138 with Siddikur Rahman (70) of Bangladesh.
Poom said he was happy with his performance on the first two days but should have done better in the second round because it was not windy and pin placements were not difficult.
“I am not nervous being the leader. Maybe, I will tomorrow,” said Poom who two SEA Games gold medals in 2011 and 2013.
“I think I can handle the pressure because of my experience playing for the national team.”
In his fifth Asian Tour event this year, Poom said that on the weekend, he would try to avoid mistakes and not to play too aggressively.
“The course is really tough. When you miss a shot, it costs you a lot.”
In January, Poom made his professional debut at the 2013 Asian Tour’s season-ending King’s Cup in Hua Hin where he shared 40th place.
He got a tour card the following month through the qualifying school, also held in Hua Hin.
Poom is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Arnond Vongvanij who won in his rookie season at the 2012 King’s Cup.
Baek, who made eight birdies and three bogeys in tough conditions, said that he could not have asked for a better round.
“It is a good result because the course is really tough and I have never played here before,’’ said the Thailand-based golfer.
Starting on the 10th hole, Baek made two bogeys in the first three holes but bounced back with five birdies in the next seven holes.
He suffered a third bogey at the second but managed to get three more birdies.
Donlaphatchai, who made five birdies and two bogeys, said that he did not think about winning the title because the field was so competitive.
“I know myself well. There are a lot of good players here,” said the golfer, who lost his tour card last year.
Three-time Asian Tour winner Chinnarat, who hopes to end a five-year title drought, made three birdies against two bogeys.
He said he stood a chance to win if his putting improved in the last two rounds.
Thaworn Wiratchant, the 2012 champion, posted a 68 to stay sixth with Chapchai Nirat (67).
Anirban Lahiri of India, who is leading on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, was on 143 following a 68 while Jazz Janewattananond, who made an ace in the first round, shot a 74 for 145.
The cut line was 146 with 68 players qualifying for the weekend.
Among those who failed to make the cut was Arnond, who is ranked 10th on the Asian Tour’s money list.
LEADING SECOND ROUND SCORES
133 — Poom Saksansin (THA) 66-67
135 — Baek Seuk-Hyun (KOR) 69-66
136 — Donlaphatchai Niyomchon (THA) 68-68
138 — Chinnarat Phadungsil (THA) 68-70, Siddikur Rahman (BAN) 68-70
139 — Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 71-68, Chapchai Nirat (THA) 72-67, Choo Tze Huang (SIN) 67-72
140 — Shankar Das (IND) 70-70, Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 69-71, Richard T Lee (CAN) 69-71, Namchok Tantipokhakul (THA) 71-69, Manav Jaini (IND) 68-72, Rattanon Wannasrichan (THA) 69-71
141 — Tirawat Kaewsiribandit (THA) 71-70, Wasin Sripattranusorn (THA) 72-69, Wang Jeung-Hun (KOR) 72-69
142 — Prom Meesawat (THA) 71-71, Bryce Easton (RSA) 70-72, Mo Joong-Kyung (KOR)
70-72, Thanyakon Khrongpha (THA) 75-67, Zamal Hossain (BAN) 69-73, Miguel Tabuena (PHI) 74-68