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| One Asia |
Australian Scott Strange, winner of OneAsia's first-ever tournament five years ago, shot a seven-under par 65 on Friday to grab the clubhouse lead after a rain-interrupted second-round of the U.S.$ 1 million Thailand Open at Thana City Golf & Sports Club.
Scott, winner of the Volvo China Open in 2009 when he also claimed OneAsia's first Order of Merit title, went one better than his opening round and is 13 under around the relatively short 6,336-metre (6,930-yard) Greg Norman-designed course.
Japan's Azuma Yano (67, 65), Brazilian Lucas Lee (65, 67), and Australian Terry Pilkadaris (68, 64) had a share of second place in the clubhouse, with eight others a shot further behind -- including some still to complete their rounds.
Defending champion Chris Wood (67, 66), three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington (67, 66), Koreans Hwang Jung-gon (65, 68), Lee Kyoung-hoon (67, 66) and Cho Min-gyu (65,68) and Thailand's Thanyakon Khrongpha (70, 63) finished on 11 under.
The second round will resume on Saturday with 36 players still to finish and a cut hovering around minus five. Stakes are high as this event -- and the upcoming Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia PGA Championship from March 28 - 31 -- is co-sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour Organisation, and earnings count to both tour Orders of Merit.
Strange, who lost his European Tour card last year, credited the lifestyle change for allowing him to spend more time with his family, and he relished the opportunity to play closer to home on OneAsia and the Japan Tour.
"A few things have changed in my life," he said. "I'm not playing as much overseas, and we've got another daughter so I'm trying to be home a bit more. The mind is relaxed and refreshed.
"I think the Japanese Tour is a great fit -- especially for family life in Australia. You're not flying to Europe for six or seven months of the year and then coming back, so if I'm fortunate enough to win this week, I'll be in Japan and that would be great."
Yano, a three-time winner on the Japan Tour since turning professional in 2000, is also coming back into form after a lean stretch.
"I have not been playing well for the past two years (but) I have been making some swing changes and they are slowly starting to work," the 35-year-old said.
"I hit every fairway and hit my irons pure. This golf course is for players who draw the ball and I was able to do that today as well."
Pilkadaris came out strong after the rain delay to put his name on the leaderboard for the first time in a while.
"I was on fire when I went out after the rain break with five birdies and I left one in the jaws on eight -- one more roll and it was in," he said.
Still, he acknowledges there is a lot of golf to play.
"Whatever you shoot (on the first two days) you have got to double on the weekend to give yourself a chance. It is set up to make birdies. Greens are great and fairways are in good condition. You just go out and play golf, that’s it."
Paul McGinley was forced to withdraw mid-way through the second round with a bad back.
Englishman Wood said he battled tiredness midway through his second round, but a glance at the scores was all it took to shake him out of his lethargy.
"I was looking at the leader board and using that as motivation, because you've obviously got someone like Harrington, who'll take some chasing, but all the top players on the Japan and OneAsia Tours as well," he said.
Harrington was happy with his second-round effort as he continued experimenting with different glasses in a bid to find his putting touch.
"These glasses are pair number five. I also have six and seven with me this week, but pair number five seems to be the one making it at the moment," he said.
"They're all different frames and different lenses. These are a little bit shorter and the screw is a bit long, but they seem to be winning."
The round of the day belonged to Thai youngster Thanyakon, who equalled the course record 63 set by Welshman Ian Woosnam during the Johnnie Walker Super Tour in 1996.
"I hit it close all day as it is a fairly easy course," said the 22-year-old, who only turned pro two years ago but has won twice on the ASEAN PGA Tour.
"I am starting to think about winning the tournament now as there are going to be a lot of low scores and I have to be aggressive."
Other Thais in the hunt include Prayad Marksaeng (68, 67) and Thaworn Wiratchant (70, 68). Wisut Artjanawat is eight under with four holes to play.
Overnight leader Koumei Oda slipped to a second round 73 after his sizzling 64 on Thursday.
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