Thailand’s Sarit Suwannarut, armed with a new swing, putter and shafts, marched into the lead at the SJM Macao Open today – looking every bit the golfer who has won two of the biggest titles on the Asian Tour.

The 26-year-old took charge of the US$1million event by making a brilliant 20-foot eagle putt on the par-five 18^th to shoot a second-round seven-under-par 63.

It is the joint-lowest round of the week and saw him take the lead on 12-under, by three shots from Wocheng Ye – the unsung Chinese golfer, who carded a 66.

Ye’s compatriot and former college mate Bobby Bai (67), Australians Jack Thompson (68) and Brett Rankin (66), Germany’s Dominic Foos (68) and Siddikur Rahman (66) from Bangladesh, are another stroke back.

China’s Wenyi Ding, the joint first-round leader with Gunn Charoenkul from Thailand, is also in that group after a 69. Gunn fell back after a 71 and is six under.

Sarit Suwannarut.

Sarit, winner of the Indonesian Masters in 2022 and Volvo China Open the following year, has had a relatively quiet season. He is currently in 34^th place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit – principally thanks to two top-12 finishes in his last two events. They have been the highlights of his season so far – the result of adjustments to his swing and equipment that appear to have got him back on track.

He said: “I have done a few things. I was just swinging my arms and not turning my body, I changed to softer shafts so I can hit a cut more easily plus I have a different putter – that’s been important and working well.”

His three on the last was the result of a giant eight iron second shot on a hole that is 576 yards.

“I think it was all about putting today,” he added.

“Even though I had two three-putts I still made a lot of birdie putts. I missed one three-footer, but other than that I made everything so it’s the putter that kept the momentum going.

“For sure, I never change my plan. If I have a chance to be aggressive, I will always be aggressive. I mean, you got to commit to the shot and then hit. A bad shot is still bad shot, so I’m going to stick to my plan.”

Sarit is one of the strongest drivers on Tour – an attribute not a necessity at Macau Golf & Country Club, where accuracy is key. However, the man nicknamed ‘Safe’ was long and straight today on his way to making an eagle, seven birdies and two bogeys. Surprisingly, he three putted the 16^th for a bogey from 30 feet.

Ye Wocheng.

Thirteen years ago Ye made headlines when at the age of 12 he became the youngest player to compete in the Volvo China Open.

Birdies on the last three holes, as well as three on the trot from the sixth, saw him in the spotlight today.

“I made a double on a par-five, the 13th, so to make birdies on the last three was a great comeback,” said the 24-year-old, whose English name is Aden.

“It will be good momentum going into the next two rounds. I think all the clubs are working pretty well, and especially my putting, so hopefully I can keep going.”

Ye turned professional five years ago and has been playing on both the China and Canadian Tours, winning twice on the former in 2021.

He went to Eagles Dream Golf Academy in Orlando with Bai in the late 2010s.

Bobby Bai.

Bai finished joint fourth in a Challenge Tour event in China last week and moved up the leaderboard this morning with four birdies in a row from the third.

“I got my iron shots back,” he said. “My ball striking is pretty good this week and last week as well. Tee shots are getting much better from last month, and this week my putting is going pretty well.”

Veteran Rahman, aged 40 and a two-time winner on the Asian Tour, was equally as delighted with his round – on a short course that suits his accurate play.

He said: “Overall it was a great round, especially I give credit to my short game. I’m doing great, especially with my putting, and my shots are also quite okay, I’m not complaining. Overall, it was a very good first two days.

“This is a narrow course. Honestly, I like this course because it’s not that long. It’s just a placing golf course, so I just try to stay on the fairway and hit the greens. That’s what I’ve been doing.”

Thompson made his move, helped by working with an ‘in-form’ caddie, Adrian Verroca – who was on the bag for Australian Wade Ormsby when he claimed the Jakarta International Championship, two weeks ago.

Siddikur Rahman.

“Really good to have him here,” said Thompson. “Obviously, he’s a proven from two weeks ago. He just kept me pretty level. I think we’re pretty similar in personalities. We never get to up or down. So, yeah, just helping me out. And I’m, you know, doing really well, considering it’s just been a week that we’ve met. So, yeah, happy.”

Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho came in with a 69 and is four under, along with Korea’s Sungjae IM, who fired a 71. Defending champion Rattanon Wannasrichan from Thailand is also tied with them after a 68.

Kho found himself in one of the strangest situations on a golf course when his father, who had been following his group, stepped into to caddie for John Catlin – one of his playing partners, whose caddie was unable to carry on due to heatstroke.

China’s Haotong Li is one stroke back after a 67, while England’s Lee Westwood, winner of this event 26 years ago, bounced back with a 68 after an opening 74, but missed the cut by three.

Pictures by Paul Lakatos/IMG.