Calmer weather and a drop in windspeed contributed to better scoring in the Lexus Challenge at The Bluffs Grand Ho Tram in Vietnam today, with England’s Sam Broadhurst and Filip Lundell of Sweden edging in front after Round Two.

The pair posted matching 66s, and hold a two shot lead going into the third and final day of the US$90,000 Asian Development Tour event. Overnight leader Shotaro Ban (69) of the USA lies in third spot, ahead of Aidric Chan (67) of the Philippines in fourth.

Jonathan Wijono (66) of Indonesia matched the low score of the day with the leaders and shares fifth spot with Juvic Pagunsan (67) of the Philippines.

Broadhurst posted six birdies with just a single dropped shot, and reflected on how he was able to manage his round in easier conditions.

“I hit a poor shot off the second, short right and made four for the second day in a row,” he explained after his round. “But after that I played pretty solid, a few good shots, picked up birdies where I could. I just kept going and tried to stay patient out there.

“It was a lot easier today compared to yesterday but to be honest I thought my two-under yesterday was a lot better. I hit the ball better yesterday, but obviously with the slightly easier conditions I managed to score a little bit better today,” he added.

“I’m really enjoying my time here,” he said as a first-time visitor to Vietnam. “The course is unbelievable and I’m loving it out there. I think I’d be loving it even if I wasn’t playing well.

“It kind of suits my eye but you’ve got to be patient out there with the greens. A few of them are raised and with the wind, it’s kind of similar to links golf really. So yeah, hopefully I can have another decent one tomorrow.”

Lundell, who also made a two-under-par score of 69 in Round One, was equally pleased with his progress in Round Two, posting a steady five-birdie, bogey-free score.

“It was a long round indeed, but I’m really happy about my game today,” he said after signing his card.

“I got hot in the front pretty early with some good shots, some good putts as well with five under (at the turn) and then just cruising on the back nine to shoot even there too. I’ll take five under in these conditions,” he added.

Wijono, who started poorly with an opening round score of 73, took advantage of the better conditions to push himself into contention going into the final day.

“I actually played much better today than yesterday, probably because of the conditions,” he said. “I think yesterday was brutal in the morning so I could take some opportunities and execute it well.

“I love this course. It’s always challenging because you never know. You’re fighting with the wind but I think it’s one of the best events (on the ADT).”

Although the leaders hold a slender advatage over the field, there are several players still in contention just five or six shots behind.

In seventh place, on two-under-par, Indonesia’s Rory Hie (67) shares the spot with Thailand’s Amarin Kraivixien (71) and Kammalas Namuangruk (68), Argentina’s Miguel Carballo (68), James Leow (69) of Singapore and Malaysia’s Shahriffuddin Ariffin (70).

One shot further back in 13th, and the last players still under par, are Alejandro Canizares (72) of Spain, Hong Kong’s Hoho Yue (69), Sean Ramos (70) of the Philippines and Thailand’s Witchayanon Chothirunrungrueng (68).

The cut was set at +6 and 57 players will contest the final round of the 54-hole tournament. Play will resume tomorrow at 6.35am off two tees with the leaders heading off at 8.05am.

Main picture: Sam Broadhurst of England pictured in action on March 20, 2025, at the Lexus Challenge at The Bluffs Grand Ho Tram.