Indonesia’s Naraajie Ramadhanputra turned up the heat in the second round of the PKNS Selangor Masters today, with an eagle and six birdies to take a two shot lead into the final rounds of the opening event in the 2025 Asian Development Tour season.

Starting on hole one, his 63 was the low round of the day, edging him ahead of Thailand’s Tawit Polthai (64) who posted an unblemished seven birdies at the Seri Selangor Golf Club in the US$200,000 ADT event, co-sanctioned with the domestic Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour.

“I shot five under on the front and three under on the back so a lot of good shots in the first nine, made one eagle also,” said Naraajie after his round. “On the back nine I was just kind of hanging in there, made a lot of pars and made a long birdie putt also,” he added.

“Today I putted really well,” he explained. “I made a lot of short putts, saved pars and made long putts for birdie also so I’m pretty happy with the way I putted today,” he said.

While not official due to the preferred lies ruling in place, Naraajie’s round matched the Seri Selangor course record of 63, recorded first by Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee in the 2008 Selangor Masters, followed by 2009 winner Rick Kulacz of Australia when it was an Asian Tour event.

Thailand’s Runchanapong Youprayong (68) was the early clubhouse leader and ended the day with a share of third place on six under, alongside compatriot Jakraphan Premsirigorn (68) who matched scores with four birdies and one dropped shot in their rounds.

With all players getting back into the game and shaking out the rust after the season break, Runchanapong was another who started to settle more into his game as the tournament progressed.

Thailand’s Runchanapong Youprayong pictured in action during the second round of the PKNS Selangor Masters at Seri Selangor Golf Club on January 23, 2025. Picture courtesy PKNS Selangor Masters.

“I feel like it was a little bit better than yesterday,” Runchanapong said after his round. “Yesterday was a little bit shaky to start, because I took a one month break and then came back and worked on my swing, so everything’s just starting to get into place at the moment.

“Today I was able to control myself and my mental side, and also I hit the driver pretty well, so that helps. I didn’t make a lot of putts, but rolled a birdie in on 18 so that helps makes lunch a bit better,“ he laughed.

American Shotaro Ban (69) holds solo fifth place on five under par going into round three, an early double bogey on his second hole made him work hard for his place, making the turn at par and eventual finish at two under for the day.

In sixth spot, on four under par, the group includes Thailand’s Poom Pattaropong (68) and overnight leader Amarin Kraivixien (71), who was unable to capitalise on his lead with an even par score.

Also in sixth spot are Malaysia’s Zia Izzuddeen (71), teenage Japanese amateur Daichi Hayashi (71) and Juvic Pangunsan (66) of the Philippines, and Italy’s Luca Cianchetti (65) who is making his debut on the ADT and enjoying his break from Europe.

Thailand’s Tawit Polthai pictured in action during the second round of the PKNS Selangor Masters at Seri Selangor Golf Club on January 23, 2025. Picture courtesy PKNS Selangor Masters.

“Last year I played mainly on the Challenge and Alps tour,” he said, “and then at the end of the year, I played Q School. And then suddenly I decided, ‘Okay, I want to try the Asian tour, to breathe some different air, some fresh air, and I kind of like it over here.

“I’ve been in Thailand and I’ve been here, so I’m pretty happy to get the card for ADT and compete this year,” he added.

“I’m really glad for this round today. I like the people around here, they’re kind so I’m happy to stick around here. This golf course is quite amazing. It was really, really hard today so I’m really pleased with my round of 66,” he said.

“The courses in Asia, obviously, are really different. The grasses are different here. A lot of Bermuda, a lot of grain on the greens. I feel like the courses that I have played are a little bit longer than the ones in Europe that I used to play and I think they kind of fit my game a little bit more,” he added.

With the cut made at +3, 58 players will contiunue into the final two rounds. Play begins again off two tees at 7.51am local time, with the leaders hitting off at 9.30am.

Main picture: Indonesia’s Naraajie Ramadhanputra pictured in action during the second round of the PKNS Selangor Masters at Seri Selangor Golf Club on January 23, 2025. Picture courtesy PKNS Selangor Masters.