November 14: Leader by two shots after the opening round, local hero Hung Chien-yao’s (main picture) immense course knowledge was evident in Friday’s second round as he shot a second successive seven-under par 65 and increased his cushion at the top to five shots in the US$400,000 Taiwan Glass Taifong Open at the halfway stage.

Hung shot the lowest round of the day for a second straight day at Taifong Golf Club and reached 14-under par total after 36 holes. Thailand’s Poosit Supupramai (68) was his closest challenger at -9, with another Thai star Ekpharit Wu (66) one shot behind at -8.

Five players – Indonesia’s Jonathan Wijono (68), Australia’s Todd Sinnott (69), Sweden’s Charlie Lindh (69), Pakistan’s Ahmad Baig (70) and Thailand’s Sarut Vongchaisit (69) – were tied for fourth place at six-under total.

India’s S Chikarangappa, who recently became a father for the first time, moved up to -5 with a round of 70 and was tied alongside Thai duo of Charng-Tai Sudsom (66) and Chanat Sakulpolphaisan (71)

Poosit Supupramai of Thailand. Picture by Taiwan PGA

Hung’s bogey-free round was special, and it was a result of a great start of three birdies in the first three holes, and then keeping up the momentum. He was so solid, his playing partners Soomin Lee and Shinichi Mizuno paid him the ultimate compliment that even Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods won’t be able to beat him on the golf course.

“This is not my personal best 36-hole score. I’ve shot lower, and my best round here is a 62. I made a long, curving, downhill 60-footer birdie putt on the 11th hole and both Soomin and Mizuno were joking that even if Rory or Tiger come and play here, they wouldn’t be able to beat me!” said the 33-year-old.

“I thought I did not play as well as I did yesterday. I wasn’t able to execute the shots the way I wanted to. I got off to a great start with three birdies in a row, but I didn’t eat much for lunch and felt a little weak towards the end. I thought I was about to get cramps towards the end. I quickly ate a banana and drank more water and felt better after that.

“Thankfully, I know this course very well. If you don’t get the chance to attack here, you need to play safe and try to play smarter on this course. I did that and kind of rode on the momentum from yesterday.

“The confidence I have on this course has always been there – since i last won here (in 2022 when the event was part of the Asian Development Tour schedule). But you need a bit of luck to win. I will just try to play my best and see what happens.”

Ekpharit Wu of Thailand. Picture by Graham Uden / Asian Tour.

Poosit started from the 10th tee and did most of his scoring on his first nine, including three birdies in four holes from the par-three 15th. The Thai player has not had a top 10 finish this season, and is ranked 107th on the Order of Merit, but he sensed something turning around in his game at last week’s Moutai Singapore Open, where he finished tied 37th.

“I hit my irons really well in Singapore, but could not make many putts. I have taken that confidence into this week, and even though my putting is still not at its best, I have continued to hit my irons well and given myself chances,” said the 32-year-old, who rated his birdie on the 18th, where he had to lay up to 80 yards and then made the up-and-down.

“It was not windy today in the morning, and when we played last afternoon, it was calm as well. So, I think we have been lucky with the draw so far.”

Ekpharit, whose father is from Chinese Taipei, also started from the 10th tee, was two-under at the turn, and did the bulk of his scoring between the par-five third and the seventh hole, where he made four birdies in a stretch of five holes.

The promising 26-year-old is currently ranked 73rd in the Order of Merit with two tied 14th finishes in the Link Hong Kong Open and the International Series Morocco being his best results.

“It was a very comfortable round today because my putter was working well. I made a few good ones to make birdies and a few good ones to save par from the 10-15 feet range,” said Ekpharit.

“I have a goal of finishing inside the top-five at least so that I have a chance to keep my card on the Asian Tour. This is my first full year on the Asian Tour and I really want to retain my card.”

The Taiwan Glass Taifong Open is the 18th leg of the Asian Tour’s 2025 season. There are three more events left on the schedule.