Chatprapa Siriprakob opened up a two-shot lead in the second round of the PTT Thailand LPGA Masters as the Thai carded a four-under-par 68 yesterday.
With rain and thunderstorms threatening play at Bangkok's Panya Indra Golf Club, the Nakhon Ratchasima native was on six-under 138 through 36 holes. Overnight leader Saranporn Langkulgasettrin stumbled to an even-par 72 to sit equal second with fellow Thai Ploychompoo Wirairungruen (68) and Taiwan's Chen Yu-ju (71).
Thais Parinda Phokan (71) and Patcharajutar Kongkraphan (71) were joint fifth at three shots back in the four-million-baht tournament, tri-sanctioned by the China LPGA, Australian LPG and Thai LPGA.
Li Jiayun (72) was the top Chinese player, four shots off the pace in equal seventh with Thailand's Renuka Suksukont (72) and Malaysian Ainil Bakar (73).
Chatprapa, 26, made the most of her early start, making five birdies and one bogey in the three-day event.
"My round today was pretty good. I hit pretty well. I had many birdie chances. I am happy," said the veteran who plays on four different tours in the region.
"My plan for the last round is to do my best. I will try to keep calm and relax, and commit to every shot."
Saranporn appeared set to maintain her lead after the teenager made a birdie at the 16th hole to get to seven under.
However, disaster struck at the 500-yard 17th hole when she made a double bogey before closing with a bogey at the last.
"It was great on the first 16 holes but not on the last two holes," said the Phuket teenager who has won five times this year.
"Tomorrow [today] I am just going to go for it. There's no more time to waste when you are two shots behind."
After finishing second in her last two tournaments in Taiwan, Chen said she was excited to be in contention for the title in today's final round.