Chiang Rai: Prayad Marksaeng and Chapchai Nirat shared the halfway lead at the Singha Masters yesterday.
Prayad Marksaeng.
Four-time winner Prayad, who turned 49 yesterday, shot a six-under-par 66 and Chapchai a 70 for a one-shot lead on 137 at Santiburi Country Club.
Ratchapol Juntavara (68) was third on 138 while Panuwat Muenlek (71) and Poosit Supupramai (72) stayed fourth on 139.
Prayad, who won here in 2000, 2003, 2008 and 2012, made seven birdies and one bogey.
He said playing in the morning session gave him an advantage.
“The greens were softer and my putter worked well,’’ he said.
Having played at the course several times also gives him an advantage to vie for the winner’s cheque of 725,000 baht, he said.
Chapchai, 31, would have been the sole leader, had he not dropped shots at the 14th and 17th holes.
“The greens were harder on the back nine,” said Chapchai.
He said he wanted to seal his breakthrough win here after coming close to the title several times.
“I really want to win here because it is the biggest event on the domestic tour.”
The five-million-baht tournament is the 2014 season finale of the All Thailand Golf Tour.
Overnight leader, amateur Kasidit Lepkrute, made two bogeys in the second round without a single birdie to drop to joint sixth on 140.
Donlaphatchai Niyomchon made a hole-in-one at the par-three 17th for a second straight 73 to share 38th place on 146.
The cut line was 148 and those who missed the weekend rounds included Pariya Junhasavasdikul (149), Thanyakorn Khrongpha (149), Anthony Kang (149) and defending champion Poom Saksansin (153).
In the women’s tournament, Onnarin Sattayabanphot shot a 68 to lead on 140, two shots ahead of Budsabakorn Sukphan.