Thailand’s depth in strength showed once again when they filled seven players among the top 10 after Round Two of the ADT co-sanctioned Toyota Tour Championship at Kota Permai Golf & Country Club here today.

With green speeds almost averaging 12 feet, many in the field found the surfaces fast and firm but Tanapat Pichaikool had an almost flawless round of six birdies against a lone bogey to card a second 67 and a two-day aggregate of 10-under 134 to snatch solo lead.

In joint second one stroke behind in the MYR400,000 ADT event were compatriots Nirun Sae-ueng and Sarut Vongchaisit, whose seven-under 65 was the low round of the tournament so far. Both are just one stroke ahead of another Thai player Tirawat Kaewsiribandit who produced a second 68 to share joint fourth with overnight leader Ben Jones of England.

Twenty-one Thai players made the half-way cut of 50 and ties, which spelt out at even par 144 while 14 Malaysians will also continue play for two more rounds. The local challenge was carried by Edvin Ying and Amir Nazrin bunched in 10th position with four others at five-under 139.

Tanapat confessed that his drives weren’t that great today but managed to get around with his iron play. “My short game was pretty amazing and especially my putter which was lovely!

Thailand’s Sarut Vongchaisit pictured in action at the Toyota Tour Championship at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club. Picture courtesy Toyota Tour Championship.

“No rain for both rounds and we’ve been lucky. The key to playing well here is off the tee. Good drives will benefit us as the course is relatively short. So yeah, finding fairways is important,” added Tanapat who is currently ranked 3rd in the ADT Order of Merit.

A strong finish here on Saturday for Tanapat could place him atop the rankings with the final round in Saudi Arabia coming up next week. India’s Rahil Ganjee and Ahmad Baig of Pakistan, ranked 1st and 2nd, have missed the cut at Kota Permai.

Sarut reckoned his iron play was what catapulted him to the low round of 65. Birdieing all par fives certainly helped. “I managed to hit it close to the pins most of the time and my putting helped.” The Thai knocked in eight birdies against a long bogey at the long par 3 17th.

The highlight of the day was a hole-in-one by Malaysian Paul San, at the short par 3 14th. It was his career sixth ace and only the second during a tournament. San made the cut on the number and is looking forward to climbing up the ladder over the next two days. He will compete in Dammam, Saudi Arabia in the season-ending finale.

Main picture: Thailand’s Tanapat Pichaikool pictured in action at the Toyota Tour Championship at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club. Picture courtesy Toyota Tour Championship.