Rattanon Wannasrichan posted a sizzling 10-under-par 61 to take a two-shot lead at the halfway mark of the Boonchu Ruangkit Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima yesterday.
The 20-year-old followed his opening 66 with a superb 61 with eight birdies and an eagle to surge ahead of the pack with a two-day total of 15-under 127 at Rancho Charnvee Resort and Country Club.
Teenager Phachara Khongwatmai, who was among the leaders at the end of the first day, was left trailing Rattanon by six strokes despite carding a respectable 69 for a total of 133.
Chanthaburi-born Rattanon, who lost his Asian Tour card this year, was two shots ahead of rising stars Danthai Boonma (64) and Itthipat Buranathanyarat (64).
The three million baht tournament is the penultimate event of the season on the Singha All Thailand Tour and also as the season finale of the Asian Development Tour (ADT).
Thailand No.1 Thongchai Jaidee recovered to fourth place with 130 after carding a 64 with five birdies and one eagle yesterday.
A stroke further down were Prom Meesawat (66), Pariya Junhasavasdikul (64), Kwanchai Tannin (67) and Wisut Arjanawat (67).
Veteran Prayad Marksaeng, bidding for his third title on the All Thailand Golf Tour, had a 65 for a 10-under 132.
Rattanon, a former member of the Thailand national squad, said it was the best round of his career, made possible by a "sharp putter".
Rattanon, who turned professional in 2012, added: "Despite the field being loaded with good golfers, I have confidence in my game and hope to win this week.
"I felt really comfortable out there. Everything went well for me and I was in top form.
"The greens were not too hard or too fast today. I managed to hit a lot of accurate shots and this was very pleasing."
Rattanon's outstanding effort could have set a new course record if not for the preferred lies rule being in effect.
The young Thai hopes to maintain his momentum over the weekend.
"I am very happy with how I played. This is my personal best round since turning professional," he said.
"I was very lucky to be in the same pack as Thongchai in the first two rounds. It has been a good experience and I learned a lot from him.
"I will try my best in the next two rounds."
Rattanon is seeking to win his third title on the All Thailand Golf Tour this year after claiming the Singha All Thailand Championship in May and capturing the Singha All Thailand Premier last month.
Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who is bidding for another ADT Tour title to his successful run at the Thongcha Jaidee Foundation recently, made a 65 for a two-round total of 136.
The cut was made at 137 with 54 players qualiying for the weekend.
Those failing to make the cut included defending champion Pipatpong Naewsuk, Thitiphun Chauyprakong and Sattaya Supapramai.
Tennis-star-turned-golfer Paradorn Srichapan had a soaring round of 77 for 148 to miss the cut as well.