Rayong: Former Thailand Open victor Rattanon Wannasrichan carded his second straight 68 to take a two-stroke lead after round two of the 3.45-million-baht Thailand Mixed Cup at the par-73 St Andrews 2000 in Rayong on Saturday.
The 27-year-old player shot eight birdies against a double bogey on the 17th hole and a bogey on No.11 to complete his 36 holes on 10-under 136, two in front of Chonjarern Baramithanaseth, Tawan Phongphun and Aunchisa Utama.
After a rain delay that caused only half of the field to complete their rounds on Friday, Rattanon and the remaining players took their turns 24 hours later.
Rattanon had a roller-coaster round which featured three straight birdies between No.12 and 14 to go up at 11 under before committing a double on No.17 but ended with a birdie on No.18.
"Even I made some mistakes and could have shot a lower score, I still achieved my target by hitting a 68. At least, I hit more good shots than bad ones," said the Chanthaburi-born Rattanon, whose victory in the 2017 Thailand Open, an Asian Tour event, still remains his biggest win to date.
Since winning the Thai PGA Tour in 2020, Rattanon has yet to hoist the trophy again. His recent best attempt was a runner-up position in the 2022 Singapore International where he lost the play-off to South Korean rising star Tom Kim.
Chonjarern, a 22-year-old from Chai Nat, fired a low round of 65, generating four birdies at the front nine and four more after the turn without a bogey. He sat two shots back on eight-under-par 138 alongside Tawan, who carded a 70. Aunchisa had already completed her round on Friday.
Phannarai Meesom-us was one shot behind in fifth place, shooting seven birdies and one eagle on No.13 against two bogeys on No.5 and No.17 for a second round of 66 and a total of 139. First-round leader Kamalas Namuangruk carded an even par 73 for a total of 140, four shots off the pace.
As a consequence of the inclement weather conditions, which caused a delay in the schedule, the organisers have opted to curtail the Thailand Mixed Cup to a three-round tournament, spanning 54 holes in total.