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Day 1

October 2nd 2009, Taipei: Thailand’s Udorn Duangdecha continued his title charge at the US$500,000 Mercuries Taiwan Masters by securing the second round lead under blustery conditions at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club on Friday.

The 38-year-old Thai recorded the day’s second hole-in-one at the 185-yard par three eight en route to posting a three-under-par 69 for a two-day total of 10-under-par 134 to take a two-shot lead over Chinese Taipei’s Chan Yih-shin.

Chan posted a 69 to head into the weekend rounds in second place on 136, a single shot ahead of compatriot Lin Wen-tang and Thailand’s Kwanchai Tannin who blasted matching 66s to take a share of third place.

Tsai Chi-huang of Chinese Taipei added a 72 to his opening 69 to take fifth place on 141.

Overnight leader Udorn began his outward-nine with a birdie on fourth hole before he watched in delight as his shot on the eighth sank into the cup for the day’s second hole-in-one.

Chinese Taipei’s Huang Tung-liang had earlier recorded a hole-in-one on the par-three 10th during the morning rounds.

The Thai however spoilt his card when he dropped a shot on the 16th but redeemed himself with another birdie on the 18th.

“I’ve played in similar conditions back home in Changmai where it can get very windy too. It didn’t really affect my game plan too much as I’m used to it,” said Udorn.

“As long as I continue to hit the fairways and putt well, I’ll have a good chance,” added the Thai.

Chan, who began his round in second place, maintained his nerves against the swirling winds to register six birdies and three bogeys on his card.

Chan who is hoping to secure his maiden breakthrough on the Asian Tour this week believes that it will be a mental test of character for the weekend field as an impending typhoon threatening to head towards Taipei over the weekend.

“It’s going to be interesting to see how everyone fares under gusty conditions this weekend. All of us will play under similar conditions and I hope to do my best,” said Chan.

Meanwhile Lin, who started his round in tied-10th began his surge up the leaderboard with an opening birdie followed by an eagle on the par-four three.

He continued his birdie blitz on the sixth and eighth to reach the turn in 31 in the morning.

Lin’s sparkling round continued with further birdies on the 10th and 11th before a lone bogey on the 15th marred his otherwise perfect card.

“I’m very happy with how I’ve played despite the windy conditions today. The wind directions were constantly changing and it was difficult to control my shots,” said Lin, a four-time Asian Tour winner.

“It’s nice to be back on top especially when you’re playing in front of the home crowd this week. I’ll continue to do my best and hope for a good result this weekend,” added Lin.

Kwanchai produced a stellar performance of his own when he mixed seven birdies and one bogey to put himself in contention for his maiden win on the Asian Tour.

The 23-year-old Thai who is also the nephew of Thai star and six-time Asian Tour winner Prayad Marksaeng, nailed a birdie on the par-four three before his lone bogey on the fourth brought him back to even-par.

Kwanchai however, answered with another assured display on the sixth when he saw his putt dropped for another birdie from 10 feet.

The Thai stormed home in his inward-nine after firing another five birdies on the 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th and 18th.

“I played very well today. I hit onto the fairways for most of my shots and my putting was in top form,” said Kwanchai.

A total of 58 players made the weekend cut which was set at five-over par.