As the Asian Tour's Q-school in Hua Hin reached its halfway mark yesterday, a total of 17 Thai golfers were left vying for the 40 available cards.
Kevin McLister.
After two days of action at Springfield Royal Country Club and Imperial Lakeview Golf Club, both par-71 courses, the cut was made at 143 and of the total 245 players, 110 were left in the field. Thirty-six Thais had entered the competition.
The winners of the 40 Asian Tour cards will be decided over the next two rounds at Spring Country Club.
Tichakorn Swadee, who had a second straight 69 yesterday, has been the pick of the local players so far. He is tied for 16th on four-under 138, eight strokes behind leader Kevin McLister of the USA. McLister followed his opening 64 with a second-round 66.
India's Chikkarangappa (64) was second on 131 and former PGA Tour player Tom Johnson of USA third on 132 after firing a 67.
Five-time Asian Tour winner Thammanoon Sriroj (69), Pasamet Pongamnerd (67) and Thitiphun Chuayprakong, who had a soaring 73 in the first round but fought back impressively with a 66 yesterday, were joint 29th on 139.
Other Thais qualifying for the final two days of action include Suradit Yongcharoenchai (68), Pannakorn Uthaipas (73), Sorachat Hansapiban (70), Nattawat Suvanajanakorn (69), Tawan Phongphun (72) and Sattaya Supupramai (74).
Those who failed to make the cut include Gunn Charoenkul making a 70 for a 144 and Arnond Vongvanij posting a 75 for a 152. Rattananon Wannasrichan (71) and Atthaphon Sriboonkaew (76) also missed the cut.
Former tennis star Paradorn Srichaphan, who started with a 72, had a round to forget yesterday when he carded an 81 and the missed the cut as well.
Meanwhile, Wisut Artjanawat (66), Suprawee Phatham (68), and Settee Prakongwet (69) shared the lead on eight-under 136 at the Thai PGA Tour's Chang-Nakhon Nayok Championship yesterday.
The 16-year-old Phachara Kongwatmai fired a 67 to stay one shot behind on 137. Atthachai Jaichalad was a stroke down further after his second round 70 at Khao Cha-ngok Golf and Country Club.
The two-million-baht tournament is the first event on the Thai PGA Tour this year.