SAMUT PRAKAN : Australia's Scott Strange yesterday posted a seven-under-par 65 to take the clubhouse lead in the second round of the weather-affected Thailand Open.
Scott Strange
Strange, who made eight birdies and a bogey, had a two-round total of 131 at the 6,930-yard Thana City Golf and Sports Club to hold a one-shot advantage over Japan's Azuma Yano (65), Australia's Terry Pilkadaris (64) and Brazil's Lucas Lee (67).
Due to a thunderstorm, 36 of 156 players could not finish their rounds and will resume play today at 6:40am in the US$1 million season-opener on both OneAsia and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).
Strange, who is seeking his second OneAsia title after his 2009 Volvo China Open win, said that the weather was quite warm and sweaty.
With play suspended for more than two hours due to the bad weather, he could take a rest and felt fresh again when he returned to the course.
Strange added that spending more time with his family and playing domestic events instead of travelling abroad made him feel more relaxed and enjoy the game.
"I'm not playing as much overseas," said Strange, who was second at the New Zealand PGA Championship two weeks ago after losing to fellow Australian Michael Hendry in a play-off.
"We've got another daughter so I'm trying to be home a bit more. The mind is relaxed and refreshed. Travelling takes energy from you.
"I think the results have come from that."
Local hopeful Thanyakon Khrongpha shot a course record-equalling 63 for 133 to share 11th place with defending champion Chris Wood of England (66), three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington of Ireland (66) and South Koreans Lee Kyoung-Hoon (66), Hwang Jung-Gon (68) and Cho Min-Gyu (68).
Thanyakon, who matched the previous course record set by Welshman Ian Woosnam at the 1996 Johnnie Walker Super Tour, said that the course was not too difficult.
Although he is playing against a competitive field, he is looking forward to lifting the King's Trophy.
"I have to be aggressive at the weekend," said the 22-year-old, whose round included one eagle, eight birdies and one bogey.
The Khon Kaen native came into the tournament in confident mood after winning this year's second tournament on the Thai PGA Tour in Kanchanaburi two weeks ago.
Harrington, who enjoyed a bogey-free round with six birdies, said that he was in a good position for the weekend.
"I've been working on my short game and I see an improvement. It has been good this week," the 41-year-old said.
Three-time JGTO winner Prayad Marksaeng, who made seven birdies against two bogeys, was on 135 following a 67.
Prayad shared 17th place with five players including Simon Yates (69), Hendry (64), David Smail (66), Masamichi Uehira (65) and Scott Laycock (64).
Overnight leader Koumei Oda of Japan struggled with a 71 to drop to tied 32nd along with Thammanoon Sriroj (67) and Japanese star Shingo Katayama (65).
Thaworn Wiratchant, bidding for his second OneAsia title after the 2011 Indonesia Open triumph, was at 138 following a 68.
Paul McGinley, who will captain Europe at the 2014 Ryder Cup, withdrew from the tournament after the first round.
It was the second straight time that the Irishman was unable to complete the four rounds here after he missed the cut last year.
SECOND ROUND SCORES
(36 players still to finish)
131 - Scott Strange (AUS) 66-65
132 - Azuma Yano (JPN) 67-65, Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 68-64, Lucas Lee (BRA) 65-67
133 - Chris Wood (ENG) 67-66, Padraig Harrington (IRL) 67-66, Lee Kyoung-Hoon (KOR) 67-66, Thanyakon Khrongpha (THA) 70-63, Hwang Jung-Gon (KOR) 65-68, Cho Min-Gyu (KOR) 65-68
134 - David Oh (USA) 69-65, Hu Mu (CHN) 67-67, Yoshinori Fujimoto (JPN) 67-67
135 - Masamichi Uehira (JPN) 70-65, Michael Hendry (NZL) 71-64, Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 68-67, David Smail (NZL) 69-66, Simon Yates (SCO) 66-69, Scott Laycock (AUS) 71-64