Kanchanburi: Taiwan's Chan Shih-chang sensationally took the halfway lead in the Royal's Cup after acing the par-three 16th and shooting an eagle on the par-five closing hole at Grand Prix Golf Club yesterday.
The three-time Asian Tour winner, who led after the first day with an eight-under-par 64, fired a 66 for 14-under 130 and lead by two over Thailand's Jakraphan Premsirigorn and American Sihwan Kim, who shot 62 and 65 respectively.
Thailand's Sadom Kaewkanjana, winner of the Singapore Open last month, was a stroke further back after shooting 67 in the second event of the season on the Asian Tour.
Chan, who started poorly and went out in one over, was seemingly out of the running before his phenomenal closing stretch of holes which also included birdies on 14 and 15.
The 35-year-old holed out with a seven iron from 173 yards on the 16th, for which he won a Toyota Camry car.
It was his second hole-in-one in a professional tournament.
He said he won a watch on the first occasion in his country many years ago, and added that he made total seven aces in his career.
"I really wasn't expecting to ace the 16th," said Chan.
"I hit it to within one foot on the par-three 12th for birdie. But my tee shots were not going straight today so I really wasn't expecting it.
"I didn't see the ball go in. I heard a sound and I thought it just hit the flagstick but then I heard Berry's [Henson] group and the caddies cheering on the 17th tee. This back nine 29 is my new personal best. Also, 14-under for two days is my lowest so far."
Chan won the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship in November, which was the Asian Tour's first event back after a 20-month break caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, but he had since struggled to find his form until this week.
Jakraphan shot the lowest round of the week so far after making nine birdies and one eagle. Preferred lies were played so it could not stand as a course record.
"My putting was really great today," said the Thai golfer. "When I hit the ball on to the green, I made every birdie putt. When I missed the green, I could still make par."