Itthipat Buranatanyarat takes lead in Bangabandhu Cup Golf Bangladesh Open
Thailand’s Itthipat Buranatanyarat fired a six-under-par 65 to take the lead on the opening day of the Bangabandhu Cup Golf Bangladesh Open today at Kurmitola Golf Club, in Dhaka.
His compatriot Kosuke Hamamoto and Chinese-Taipei’s Chang Wei-lun shot 66s to lie in second place while Korean Seung Park carded a 67.
Bangladesh’s Jamal Hossain and Badal Hossain gave local fans plenty to cheer about after carding 68s, along with Chan Shih-chang from Chinese-Taipei, England’s Ben Jones, and Thailand’s Pawin Ingkhapradit, Danthai Boonma and Pavit Tangkamolprasert.
“Looks like my game is back!” said Itthipat, who after starting on 10 went on a birdie blitz with gains on 11, 14, 15, 17 and 18 to make the turn in five under.
“Before I missed the cut at five events in a row. I am always confident with myself but today I played well because I hit a lot of fairways, and my approach shots were very good, that’s why I can make birdies.
“I am still trying to find a way to win on the Asian Tour, so hopefully this will be the week.”
Chang hit to shot of the day to move in contention, holing his second shot from 75 yards for eagle on the par-four 18th.
Chang Wei-lun. Picture by Paul Lakatos/ Asian Tour.
Like Itthipat, he has been struggling with his game lately.
He said: “I have been missing cuts the last few months, so it was nice to get off to a good start this week. We had a local event on my home course in Taiwan last week. I went straight there after returning from Egypt, didn’t get much rest. Came in second which gave me some confidence as well coming to this week.”
Hamamoto, winner of the SEA Games individual gold medal in 2017, was bogey free with two birdies on the front and three on the inward half for a much better experience compared with when he played here last time and missed the cut.
“When I played here in 2019 it was my first Asian Tour event, so I was very nervous,” said Hamamoto, whose father is Japanese and mother Thai.
“I didn’t know how to handle things but now I guess I know more and have experience and know how to manage mistakes.”
He is also benefitting from trying to enjoy himself on the course.
“It was a good day out there, everything felt very nice,” said the Thai, whose caddie this week is ‘Camp’, formerly Thailand Jazz Janewattananond’s bagman.
“To be honest my attitude was great, I am more happy on the course. I am not focusing on anything, just trying to be happy. Whatever happens, happens.
“In the middle of the season I was struggling but I changed coach, I changed caddie and changed clubs and it seems to be working.”
Park was also bogey free and chipped in twice to save pars on holes six and eight, from six and 20 feet respectively.
Kosuke Hamamoto. Picture by Paul Lakatos/ Asian Tour.
He said: “Kept the ball in play today, hit my driver well and, found most of the fairways, which helped my score. Good start for my first time in Bangladesh.”
Bangladesh number one Siddikur Rahman came in with a 69, Thailand’s amateur star Ratchanon “TK” Chantananuwat carded a 71 and his countryman and defending champion Sadom Kaewkanjana fired a 72.
Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana won the Bangabandhu Cup Golf Bangladesh Open when the event it was last played in 2019, here at Kurmitola Golf Club, in Dhaka – incredibly, becoming the fastest Qualifying School graduate to win on Tour, in what was his first start after qualifying – and on the eve of this year’s tournament he says the memories of that breakthrough and nerve-jangling victory are still vivid and will last for a long time.
Starting the final round he led by two shots and was cruising until calamity struck when he made bogeys on 13, 14 and 15. However, he birdied 16 and 17 before making a crucial par-save on the par-four 18th, to beat India’s Ajeetesh Sandhu by one.
“I’ll never forget the last hole,” said Sadom.
“I was so excited. I had hit my tee shot to the left and got behind a tree and had to lay up. I hit my third shot onto the green and made the putt. It made me feel very good.”
Sadom Kaewkanjana practicing hard for his defense in Bangladesh. Picture by Paul Lakatos/ Asian Tour.
He had only turned professional the year before and that victory laid the foundation for incredible run of results which saw him win three times on the All Thailand Golf Tour in the space of three months in 2021, including the Thailand Open, a Trust Mixed golf event in January 2022 before shortly after securing the biggest win of his career so far, the 2022 SMBC Singapore Open – which brought to an end the 2020-21-22 season on the Asian Tour. That victory helped him into second place on the Final Asian Tour Order of Merit.
He said: “I feel very good to be back to play in Bangladesh again, I have a lot of good memories from this course. So I’m excited to play this year.”
This season has seen the 24 year old consistently near the top of the leader boards with a tied-second and two third-place finishes as his best results among his six top-10s. The last Asian Tour event, the International Series Egypt, was no exception and saw Sadom finish in a tie for ninth place, so his game is obviously in good shape.
“I think this year feels amazing for me. I worked hard when we had the COVID break, for two years I worked very hard. After the Tour resumed [at the end of 2021], I started very well in the Asian Tour events in Phuket [he tied second and joint fifth] and that gave me a lot of confidence. I have kept that momentum until today,” he said.
Every professional golfer dreams of playing The Open Championship at St. Andrews, and he had a remarkable experience there on the Old Course in July, when in his first start in this Major he finished tied 11th after a final round 65. The best-ever result by a Thai player at The Open.
Said Sadom: “I felt fantastic to play in The Open. I thought in my life I would never be able to play that course because I had only seen it on TV or on YouTube. But to have the chance to play there, and play so well that week, I was very happy.”
The second place on the 2020/21/22 Merit list also secured the Thai starts in the newly launched LIV Golf Invitational Series, and he has spent much of the second half of the season competing with and against some of the best players in the game, amassing just over US$1.4 million in individual and team earnings.
Sadom won in 2019 for his first success on the Asian Tour. Picture by Paul Lakatos/ Asian Tour.
“For me, I think to play alongside the great players in the world, it gave me a lot of experience about everything on and off the golf course, I learned a lot from the great players out there,” he said.
“I played with Dustin Johnson in Bangkok on the last day, and it was crazy. He hit very good quality shots, every shot.”
Siddikur Rahman, the undisputed King of golf in Bangladesh, is always an ever-present threat in the Bangabandhu Cup Golf Bangladesh Open, helped by the fact it is played on his home course, Kurmitola Golf Club – where he learned to play the game and where he has enjoyed phenomenal success.
He has won the tournament once here before but that was in 2010 when it was part of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) and so not on the same scale as it is today, and indeed this week.
So, when the US$400,000 tournament tees-off on Thursday could this finally be his year?
Well, the signs are there that he is coming into the tournament better placed than ever before.
Buoyed by an equal third place finish in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters in September and mightily excited to see his National Open back after a two-year COVID-19 enforced break, the Bangladeshi, who turned 38 on Sunday, is in confident mood.
“So far this season my game has been very good,” said Rahman, a two-time winner on the Asian Tour, with the most recent being the Hero Indian Open in 2013.
Siddikur Rahman has won over 30 local events at Kurmitola. Picture by Paul Lakatos/ Asian Tour.
“The last few months I’ve been playing very well, especially at my home course. As you know in Taiwan I finished tied third, and now I’m very confident with my game because I can play the way I want to play. So, I’m very positive and very confident with my game at the moment.”
Couple that with an astonishing haul of titles at Kurmitola – he has won two Asian Development Tour titles here, over 30 local professional events, and five amateur tournaments – and it could well lead to the biggest week of his career.
Said Rahman: “It would mean a lot to me [to win], because the last couple times I was close I couldn’t win. I was close but I finished second in 2017. It would be very meaningful to me if I could hold the trophy at least one time soon.”
He adds: “Honestly, I’m very happy whenever Asian Tour tournaments comes to Bangladesh. Unfortunately, we couldn’t organise the Bangladesh Open the last two years because of COVID, but I’m really excited that this time it is going to happen on the Asian Tour, and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Since the tournament joined the Asian Tour in 2015, his best finish was runner-up by four shots to Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond five years ago, while his worse finish was joint 38th in that first year. He tied for 12th when it was last played in 2019. He was also second in 2011 and 2012.
Asked if Kurmitola’s old-school type of course suits his style of game he said: “Yes always. Kurmitola is my home course and it’s the place I grew up, it’s the golf course where I learned to play golf. The course suits my game and I’m always happy to play here.”
There are two other top Bangladeshi professionals who Rahman thinks could be ready for Asian Tour success this week, Jamal Hossain and Badal Hossain, both currently playing in India and ranked fifth and 30th respectively on the PGTI Order of Merit.
He said: “I think that there are a few players, especially like Jamal Hossain and Badal Hossain. These two are playing very good on the Indian Tour. And like I said, recently Jamal has shot some very good scores, so I can see that he’s been playing very good golf. So, I think there are a few other Bangladeshi players who have a very good chance to play well in the Bangladesh Open this week.”
The winner of the inaugural International Series Order of Merit is poised to experience a career-transforming opportunity with a potential multi-million-dollar reward on the line.
The individual who tops the standings following the season-ending BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE in the first week of December will receive an exemption into the eagerly awaited and much-hyped LIV Golf League 2023.
“The introduction of the International Series on the Asian Tour this year has been a huge success and the integration into the LIV Golf League is a very important next step. Not only has the International Series provided more playing opportunities and greater purses for our members but it also provides an incredible opportunity that lives up to LIV Golf’s promise of enhancing player pathways,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO of the Asian Tour.
The International Series is a ground-breaking series of events launched this year with prize purses of US$1.5million and above played across seven countries – Thailand, England, Singapore, Korea, Morocco, Egypt and Indonesia.
Following last week’s International Series Egypt, Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent is in pole position on the Merit List having amassed earnings of US$493,125 from the first six events of the seven-leg schedule. American Sihwan Kim sits in second with winnings of US$424,883.
Sihwan Kim. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Whoever it is that secures the Merit List title can look forward to being part of the LIV Golf League in 2023 when 48 players and 12 established team franchises will compete in a 14-tournament schedule.
The full slate of events is expected to expand LIV Golf’s global footprint across North and Latin Americas, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Europe.
The appetite of Vincent and his fellow Merit list contenders has been well and truly whetted this year with Asian Tour members receiving unrivalled access to the LIV Golf Invitational Series.
In-form Thai Sadom Kaewkanjana and Australian Wade Ormsby were ever-present throughout all eight LIV Invitationals in 2022, both earning their starts directly via the Asian Tour Order of Merit. Vincent and Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai also participated in all eight of the showpiece gatherings through their performances on the International Series this year.
Other Asian Tour regulars who benefitted from their International Series ranking were Kim, Australian Travis Smyth, South African Ian Snyman and Thai Itthipat Buranatanyarat all playing in multiple LIV Golf Invitational Series events.
Sadom Kaewkanjana tees off on the fifth hole during day two of the LIV Golf Invitational – London at The Centurion Club on June 10, 2022 in St Albans, England. Picture by Joe Maher/LIV Golf/Getty Images.
Also savouring the opportunity to brush shoulders with some of the biggest names in the game, Australian Kevin Yuan and Indian Viraj Madappa qualified for the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational in England via the International Series England event at Slaley Hall, won by Vincent.
In 2023, LIV Golf League players plan to compete in numerous International Series tournaments, bringing the world’s top players to locations in Asia and the Arab region and several new international destinations.
Tournaments will be broadcast across the globe and showcase an international field of headline and next-generation talent for a worldwide audience.
“In total, LIV Golf will deliver 25 tournaments worldwide in 2023 that will bring value, innovation and new audiences to golf.
“LIV Golf’s expanding global platform will add a new dimension to the golf eco-system as we know it, one that provides an opportunity for players and fans around the world to help maximise our beloved sport’s true potential,” said Greg Norman, CEO and Commissioner of LIV Golf.
“Our franchise model will bring new energy and excitement to fans from all corners of the world, establishing a league of teams to connect and grow with.
“The International Series will attract new talent and offer unprecedented pathways that develop the next generation of stars. LIV Golf is committed to making sustainable investments that grow the game now and for the future, and we are proud to turn these dreams into a reality.”
Asian Development Tour (ADT) players can look forward to a bumper end-of-season bonanza.
Making a welcome return to the schedule after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Taifong Open will act as the decisive, final event on the 2022 ADT.
With the leading 10 players, not otherwise exempted, on the final 2022 ADT Order of Merit following the conclusion of the Taifong Open earning their Asian Tour cards for the 2023 season, it promises to be a memorable week in Chinese Taipei.
Further good news for participants at the Taifong Golf Club from December 22-25 is that the prize fund is being increased by 25 per cent to US$200,000, becoming the joint richest event on the ADT.
When the tournament was last staged on the ADT at the end of 2019, the purse was US$160,000.
Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO, Asian Tour, said: “Given that the Taifong Open will once more bring down the curtain on the ADT season, it’s a fabulous development that we’ll have a significant rise in prize money.
2019 Taifong Open winner Donlaphatchai Niyomchon.
“With Asian Tour cards on the line and so much at stake, it’s fitting that the Taifong Open will offer the equal highest purse on the Tour, reflecting the importance of the week.”
When the Taifong Open was last held on the Asian Development Tour in the final week of 2019 it was Thai Donlaphatchai Niyomchon who emerged triumphant.
It was the sixth year in succession that the Taifong Open had been part of the ADT.
Previous winners of the Taifong Open were Chinese Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang (2018 and 2014); Thai Pannakorn Uthaipas (2017); American Johannes Veerman (2016) and Thai Rattanon Wannasrichan (2015).
Thailand’s Suteepat Prateeptienchai sensationally made it three wins within a month in Indonesia on the ADT when he triumphed in the US$100,000 Combiphar Players Championship, at Parahyangan Golf, in September.
He tops the Order of Merit and his three brilliant victories meant he earned a battlefield promotion on to the Asian Tour for the remainder of this season.
Three events remain this season: the Selangor Masters, the Saudi Open and the Taifong Open.
Andy Ogletree oozed class on his way to securing his maiden title in the professional game today after winning the US$1.5 million International Series Egypt at Madinaty Golf Club in Cairo.
The former amateur star found his feet in the play for pay game after firing a final round eight-under-par 62 to finish with a tournament total of 23 under and win by four shots from Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger, who returned a 63.
Korean Jeunghun Wang (64) and Sihwan Kim (65) from the United States tied for third, seven behind the winner. The result saw Sihwan Kim return to the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit list.
Ogletree started the day with a three-shot advantage from Wiesberger and took a firm grip of the tournament by touring the front nine in four-under-par 32 with birdies on one, three, five, seven and nine with a dropped shot on eight doing little damage to his lead.
He was four ahead of Wiesberger at the turn. The Austrian pushed hard to mount a challenge and eagled the par-four 10th after holing his second but Ogletree responded with a birdie on that hole to sit comfortably three in front.
Andy Ogletree celebrates on the 18th green during Round Four on Sunday, November 13, 2022, at the International Series Egypt at the Madinaty Golf Club. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged from November 10-13, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Weisberger closed to within two after a birdie on 13 but the 16th proved to be pivotal as the American made a birdie while Weisberger dropped a shot to put the gap back to four.
Wiesberger made birdie on 17 but it still left Ogletree with the comfort of a three-shot lead going down the last, which he fittingly birdied to put the icing on the cake.
“This is amazing, just incredible,” said the rising star from Little Rock, Mississippi, who earned a cheque for US$270,000.
“I have always been a huge fan of Matchplay and that is kind of what it came to in the end, it was basically a two-man race. I just tried to keep matching what he was doing, I kept making a lot of putts. Fortunately, I was able to play better than Bernd, he’s a great player and it was really awesome to come out on top.”
The 24 year old, who played on the golf team at the prestigious Georgia Tech University, won the US Amateur in 2019 and was part of the victorious American team at the Walker Cup the same year. He turned professional the following year and is a rookie on the Asian Tour this season.
Added Ogletree: “It has been an awesome week. First time in Egypt. I got to experience everything the tourists do, I went to the Pyramids, we stayed at a great hotel and the golf course was spectacular. It has just been a really awesome. My first trip to Egypt is one that I will never forget.”
Wiesberger was attempting to win his third Asian Tour title and first in nine years but found Ogletree just too good today.
“Yeah, I mean I take that [shooting a 63] going into Sunday in the last group,” said the 37 year old, an eight-time winner on the DP World Tour.
Bernd Wiesberger and Andy Ogletree. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“You know, it wasn’t good enough to throw everything at him. A couple of loose bogeys but other than that I did as much as I could. He holed a lot of putts when I was in position to do so. He had it going on the greens today so fair play to him. I played a good round and can be proud of myself.
“It was nice, good to stay competitive, good feeling, good golf course and tried to hit a lot of good shots. Coming in with a nice result is always a bonus as well.”
Wang’s finish is his best performance since coming back from 18-months of National Service several months ago.
Said Wang: “Actually I’m really happy with my score today because I didn’t make any bogeys. The first two rounds I didn’t really hit it good, especially my irons, but it’s getting better right now so hopefully I will play well next season.
“Score-wise my game is okay, but my irons and driver I’m not really happy right now. I will probably go see my coach and fix something with my swing.”
Sihwan Kim who led the Merit list race for much of the year following two victories recaptured top sot from Korean Bio Kim. Sihwan Kim has now earned U$615,208, while Bio Kim, who did not compete this week, is second with winnings of US$ $595,109.
Last year’s US Amateur champion James Piot from the United States fired a 66 to finish in sole possession of fifth, eight back from Ogletree.
Two more events remain on the Asian Tour this season: the Bangabandhu Cup Golf Bangladesh Open (November 24-27) and the BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE (December 1-4).
Bernd Wiesberger of Austria pictured during Round Four on Sunday, November 13, 2022, at the International Series Egypt at the Madinaty Golf Club. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged from November 10-13, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Former US Amateur champion Andy Ogletree continued to put together one of the finest tournaments of his short professional career today when he took the third-round lead at the US$1.5 million International Series Egypt at Madinaty Golf Club.
The American, helped by a brilliant birdie, eagle finish shot a five-under-par 65 to reach 15 under for the tournament and open up a three-shot lead from Austrian Bernd Wiesberger, who also made a fine eagle on 18, and second-round leader Richard T. Lee from Canada.
Eight-time DP World Tour winner Wiesberger also carded a 65 while Lee returned a 69.
Last year’s US Amateur champion American James Piot (64) and his countrymen Jarin Todd (67) and Sihwan Kim (68), Thailand’s Prom Meesawat (66) and Jinichiro Kozuma from Japan (68) are tied for fourth, four behind the leader.
Bernd Wiesberger of Austria pictured during Round Three on Saturday, November 12, 2022 ahead of The International Series Egypt at Madinaty Golf Club. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged from November 10-13, 2022. Picture By Ian Walton/Asian Tour.
Ogletree started the day one back from Lee but pulled ahead of the pack with three birdies on the trot from the fifth and narrowly stayed ahead of a crowded leader board all day until his fantastic finish.
He holed a 12 footer for birdie on the par-five 17th before reaching the 345-yard par-five 18th in one with an eye-catching drive before he holed out from 30 feet.
“I had a slow start early on, took me a little bit of time of get into the round,” said 24-year-old Ogletree, who turned professional in 2020 a year after winning his country’s National Amateur.
“I was playing really well but three putted two which was super frustrating, but I kept telling myself to stay patient, there are a lot of birdies out there.
“I never beat myself up and I knew that I would make some birdies coming in. You always know that 17 and 18, in the back of your mind, are easy holes so throughout the round I kept saying wait for that. Made a good putt on 17 and a long one on 18 so that was just a testament to staying patient and trusting what I was doing all day.”
Weisberger looked set to finish the day in the pack before holing a 20-foot eagle putt on the final hole – brandishing the ‘broomhandle’ putter that he has been using since July to great effect.
Richard T. Lee of Canada pictured during Round Three on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at the International Series Egypt at the Madinaty Golf Club. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged from November 10-13, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
He said: “I started well. I got off to a good rhythm and holed a lot of chances but then I was quite disappointed as my mid irons were not very good and it is a little bit of a mystery ride for me on the greens. I am really struggling on the greens, with reading them and trusting them.
“But as Jamie my caddie said my patience was rewarded today, even though I felt a little impatient after 17, but nice to roll one in for eagle on the last and pick up a couple of shots later on.”
Overnight-leader Lee, so impressive over the first two days on the front nine with scores of birdies, failed to get going today and went out in level par before making a double on 13 which saw him tumble down the leaderboard. However, he rallied and bravely got back into contention with four birdies in the last five holes.
Said the two-time Asian Tour winner: “Yeah, I was kind of struggling with my swing a little bit, and think I was trying to make birdies too early, trying to pressure myself a little bit. But, yeah, happy with how I came back with a few birdies on the back nine, and let’s see what happens tomorrow.”
Prom has not won on the Asian Tour since 2014 and is enjoying playing a course that is relatively short compared to most courses on the Asian Tour.
Prom Meesawat of Thailand pictured during Round Three on Saturday, November 12, 2022 ahead of The International Series Egypt at Madinaty Golf Club. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged from November 10-13, 2022. Picture By Ian Walton/Asian Tour.
“It’s not long, it’s only 16 that’s long, but the rest is fine for me. But still you know, for the guys who are long hitters they really have an advantage on this course because it’s wide open. I just play my game just focus on what I have been working on,” said the Thai golfer.
First-round leader Scott Hend from Australia bounced back from a disappointing second day 74 shooting a 64 and is tied for ninth five behind the leader.
Two of the most popular names in the International Series Egypt field took time out from their tournament routines to hold a special junior golfing clinic on the sidelines of the Asian Tour event at the Madinaty Golf Club driving range, aimed at the local youngsters on the Egypt Golf Federation’s youth development program.
In a session hosted by Mohammed Attallah of the EGF, and organised by the EGF and the Egypt Ministry of Youth and Sport, American LIV Golf star Chase Koepka teamed up with Egyptian star Issa Abou El Ela to take 20 boys and girls through a series of drills, giving hints and tips on preparation, alignment, mindset and more before finishing up with a fun chipping contest partnered by UGolf, a major supporter of Mass Participation Programmes across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Koepka said: “It is always a lot of fun to get around a bunch of eager kids who want to learn and are excited to learn from a pro. I was fortunate as a kid to learn from a few professionals, and I am excited to give that back to these kids in Egypt. This is a sport which I feel could grow here, this tournament could be a big kick-starter for youngsters to go out and discover a game they will love.”
Isaa Abuo El Ela of Egypt during a golf clinic on Friday, November 11, 2022 ahead of the International Series Egypt at Madinaty Golf Club. Picture By Ian Walton/Asian Tour.
Issa added: “I have seen many of these juniors develop, so to have the opportunity to stand alongside a big-name player like Chase and to hear his advice was very special. Chase had some great advice for these very talented youngsters, and I hope to do more of this myself in future.”
Ibrahim, 13, was delighted to have learned from the best. He said: “I think they have a lot of experience, and they gave us some great advice on routine and the alignment – I think it was all very important and if we can listen to them, we can all learn a lot.”
Alam, 16, was one of a number of the budding golfers lucky enough to get some invaluable one-on-one time with Koepka. The eight-handicapper said: “It was very interesting, I asked Chase a few questions about how I should be thinking when I am out on the course and he gave me some very sound advice. This is sure to help with the mental side and my game overall.”
Canadian Richard T. Lee looks like a man on a mission at this week’s International Series Egypt after he moved into the lead on day two, bidding to make amends for letting victory slip from his grasp last Sunday.
He shot a five-under-par 65 at Madinaty Golf Club to go to 11 under for the US$1.5 million event to lead by one from American Andy Ogletree, who carded a 64.
American Sihwan Kim is a shot further back following a 66 – in a ground-breaking tournament that marks the first time the Asian Tour has visited Egypt.
Two-time Japan Tour winner Jinichiro Kozuma from Japan is tied with Kim after shooting 64, impressively one of the few players to make a challenge in the more difficult afternoon conditions when the wind was stronger.
Overnight leader Scott Hend from Australia had a disappointing day shooting a 74 to sit seven off the pace.
Andy Ogletree of the USA pictured during Round Two on Friday, November 11, 2022, at the International Series Egypt at the Madinaty Golf Club. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged from November 10-13, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
In-form Lee was on course to win last week’s International Series Morocco but made a costly bogey on the penultimate hole while Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond stormed through to win at the death with an eagle, birdie finish.
However, the loss has clearly done nothing to his confidence: he birdied six of the last seven holes on the front nine to go 10 under on the front nine for the first two days. He nearly aced the par-three eighth where his tee shot hit the flag leaving him a tap in for a two
“I feel like it is more comfortable to my eyes on the front nine, the back nine is a bit harder for me, I feel like I can’t putt as well as the front nine, yesterday and today,” said Lee, a two-time winner on the Asian Tour, with the most recent being the 2017 Shinhan Donghae Open in Korea.
“My game is solid right now, mentally I am also feeling confident. We still have 36 holes out there. I just want to play my game, I don’t want to think I have got to beat this person, or that person.
“I am just going to play my game, play my front nine again, and try and shoot five or six under par again. I just want to get this win first and see where it goes from there.”
Sihwan Kim of Korea pictured during Round Two on Friday, November 11, 2022, at the International Series Egypt at the Madinaty Golf Club. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged from November 10-13, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Ogletree, the US Amateur champion in 2019, is a rookie on the Asian Tour this year and is putting together his best performance so far this year.
“You got to take advantage of playing in the morning out here, there’s not much wind, and I got off to a good start, four under through nine,” said 24-year-old Ogletree.
“Had a lot of opportunities coming down the stretch, it could have been a lot better, but very pleased with how I’m playing and should be in good position going into the weekend.”
Sihwan, the number two ranked player this year with two wins, holed a 30 footer on the par-four 18th for a his third eagle of the week to go with the two he made on the front nine yesterday.
“Not the best off the tee but got it around and played really well on the front nine, my back nine,” said Kim.
“Probably on our sixth or seventh hole the wind started picking up, and it’s been pretty windy since then. And it was a lot heavier wind than yesterday, so it’s been kind of tough.”
Jinichiro Kozuma of Japan pictured during Round Two on Friday, November 11, 2022, at the International Series Egypt at the Madinaty Golf Club. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged from November 10-13, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Americans Jarin Todd (66) and Trevor Simsby (67), Australia’s Travis Smyth (67) and South African Jaco Ahlers (68) are three off the lead.
Moroccan Ayoub Lguirati continued to impress carding a 67, the same score as Bernd Wiesberger from Austria, an eight-time winner on the DP World Tour. They are in a group of players tied for ninth on seven under.
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