SCORES & STANDINGS
DAY 1
November 22nd 2013, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia: Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand, Filipino Antonio Lascuna and Korean star K.J. Choi ensured a strong Asian presence in the top-10 at the halfway stage of the US$8 million ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf on Friday.
All three players will enter the weekend rounds at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in a share of ninth place, seven shots behind leader Thomas Bjorn of Denmark who carded a three-under-par 68 for a two-day total of eight-under-par 134.
American Kevin Streelman battled to a 69 to trail Bjorn by one while Jason Day of Australia and Ricardo Santos of Portugal share third place on 138 in the individual category which is offering US$7 million in total prize money. Japan’s Hideto Tanihara, who won at home last week, carded a fine 67 for tied fifth place on 139.
In the team category, Streelman and countryman Matt Kuchar are in top position with a combined score of 274, three shots ahead of Bjorn and Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark. Australia’s Adam Scott and Jason Day and Japan’s Tanihara and Ryo Ishikawa share third on 281 as they chase for US$1 million which is on offer for the team category.
Kiradech, who has risen to 68th on the Official World Golf Ranking this season, overcame a double bogey and a bogey with four birdies as he stayed within striking reach of the leader.
With winds swirling around the magnificent Royal Melbourne, the burly Thai stayed in red numbers, thanks to a reliable putter. “The way I struck the ball, it wasn’t good but the key thing on this course is the putting. Today, I holed a lot putts and that saved my score,” said Kiradech, who took 28 putts, three fewer than his opening round.
The burly Thai knows he must keep his head straight and disregard his go-for-broke style of play on a course which has seen only 14 players remain under par after two rounds at the famous sandbelt course.
“The winds were strong and I tried to keep the ball low. I adjusted too much with the swing and something was wrong. The winds and this type of course don’t suit my game. I just have to concentrate hard and keep to my game plan,” said the 24-year-old.
“I don’t want to force myself. I’ve played great the whole year and I don’t want to force myself here. Hopefully I can sink a few more putts this weekend. It’s a good position to be in the top-10. A few strokes behind the leader and on this course, even if you’re 10 behind, you can still catch up.”
After starting the day strongly with a birdie on two, Choi fell off the pace with a double bogey on the fourth hole before adding four more bogeys against two birdies for a 74.
“It wasn’t a tough day. Only one shot on number four for a double bogey,” lamented Choi, who is an Asian Tour honorary member and an eight-time winner on the PGA Tour.
“The greens were harder in the afternoon. On some holes, I hit it (the putts) too long and some, I left it short. Anyway, my game is still okay. The wind was also blowing. I got a bit unlucky with the winds and it was confusing at times.
“On this course, you never know what will happen. Tomorrow will be an important day. If we can get four or five under, we’ll be okay. We’re only human, sometimes, we make mistakes. But I love it here, I love this course.”
Playing in only his second World Cup of Golf, the 42-year-old Lascuna continued to impress many with his steady play as he traded two birdies against as many bogeys.
“The course is so dangerous. I left a lot of putts short but that’s all you can do. On 18, I had a chance for birdie from about seven feet. I thought it was a downhill putt but I misread it completely. I’m still so happy with even par,” said the amiable Lascuna.
“I controlled my game well. I missed one drive all day. I tried to keep the ball in play. I didn’t attack any pins. Top-10 now, I’m going to try to stay on the leaderboard. I’m just going for greens and fairways. Just playing safe out there and don’t be greedy with the iron play. I’m happy to get pars and if some birdies drop, I’m happy.”
