November 29th 2013, Jakarta, Indonesia: Thailand’s Prom Meesawat showed no signs of a hangover from a play-off defeat two weeks ago when he shot a second round five-under-par 66 at the weather-disrupted Indonesia Open on Friday.
The burly Thai, who lost to China’s Liang Wen-chong in a play-off in Manila, put himself in a strong position to win a second Asian Tour title since 2006 after compiling a nine-under-par 133 total at the Pantai Indah Kapuk course at the Damai Indah Golf.
Decorated Thai stars Thongchai Jaidee and Thaworn Wiratchant, both former Indonesia Open winners, fired a 67 and 64 respectively for identical 134s in the morning before play was abandoned at 3.46pm local time due to lightning threats.
Two-time Major champion Retief Goosen of South Africa moved up the leaderboard with a 65 to tie with Mardan Mamat (69) on 137 at the US$750,000 Asian Tour event.
Storm brewing at the Pantai Indah Kapuk course at Damai Indah Golf
Overnight leader Gaganjeet Bhullar of India played through 16 holes on -10 while playing partner Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand was on -9 with two more holes to play. They will return at 6.15am Saturday to complete the second round alongside 52 other players.
Prom turned in one-over-par 37 but marked a sensational comeback when he chipped-in from 25-feet for birdie on hole two. He immediately holed four straight birdies and added another birdie on the eighth hole to set the clubhouse target.
“I played slight better because I could control the ball. The turning point came when birdied hole two because my confidence came back and I started sinking more birdies,” said the Thai.
Prom, nicknamed ‘Big Dolphin’ for his burly physique and because he hails from the coastal town of Hua Hin, insists that he has erased the play-off defeat in Manila and is prepared to continue his title charge at the Indonesia Open.
“I’ve forgotten about the Manila defeat. I’m just concentrating on this week. I finished the play-off in the Philippines and that was it for me. I have to move on from there,” added the 29-year-old Prom.
Reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Thaworn, who won the Indonesia Open in 2005, returned with a flawless 64 to stay on track for an unprecedented 17th Asian Tour victory and was among the strong Thai representation in the top-10.
“I don’t remember much from my Indonesia Open win in 2005. I know I chipped close to the hole on 18, made par and won,” laughed the 46-year-old Thaworn. It is really nice to see a lot of Thais on the leaderboard, especially Prom who is playing so well.”
Thongchai, a three-time Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, took advantage of his sharp iron play where he found 15 greens in regulation, which resulted in six birdies against two bogeys.
“I have no complaints with my round. It has been two good rounds and I have a good chance to win now. Obviously it is easier to play in the morning because there’s hardly any wind,” said Thongchai.
The 39th edition of Indonesia’s national championship, which has a rich and illustrious history dating back to its first edition in 1974, is the nation’s oldest golf tournament.
