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The 19 year old star in the making fired a five-under-par 67 at Damai Indah Golf - Pantai Indah Kapuk Course.
He moved to nine under par for the tournament and a one stroke lead over defending champion Michael Hendry from New Zealand, Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant, Hideto Tanihara from Japan and Australian Michael Wright.
Hendry was in control for much of the day before a poor stretch on the back nine saw him return a 71 while Thaworn, who won this event in 2005, shot a 68.
Tanihara, a nine-time winner on the Japan Golf Tour Organization, came in with a 69 and Wright returned a 67.
Indonesia’s top golfer Rory Hie birdied the final three holes to card a 70 and lies three shots off the lead along with Australians Kim Felton and Rohan Blizard.
Han is one of the most exciting young prospects on OneAsia having claimed the Qualifying School by six strokes in January in China.
“I had a chance to win the Volvo China Open earlier in the year but I played badly on Sunday. This weekend I hope I can learn from that experience and try and handle the pressure much better. I am playing well and feel I can shoot some low scores in the last two rounds,” said Han
He made six birdies and one bogey to put himself in a strong position to claim the US$180,000 winners’ cheque.
“I holed a lot of putts today as I got a feel for the greens. If I can maintain that feeling I won’t be far away come Sunday,” added Han.
The Korean claimed the 2009 Asian Amateur Championship and part of his reward for winning was a prized spot in the field at last year’s US Masters and although he missed the cut at Augusta his rounds of 79 and 76 saw him tie with former champion Sandy Lyle of Scotland.
The youngster made his professional tournament debut at Indonesia PGA Championship, the season opening event on OneAsia in March, where he finished tied for 17th place.
Thaworn won the Indonesia Open by five strokes in 2005 at Cengkareng Golf Club, during a season when he tasted victory four times en route to becoming Asia’s number one.
“I feel I can do well here. It’s not all about hitting it long off the tee. You need to control the ball and work it around the course which suits me. I am in a good position heading into the weekend and want to push on from here,” said Thaworn.
He also made an impression on the leader board in last year’s Indonesia Open presented by Enjoy Jakarta finishing in a tie for fifth place at the same venue.
The Thai star has an incredible haul of 14 tournament victories in the region and at the age of 44 he is still knocking on the door for more trophies.
He also played in the Indonesia PGA Championship and finished in sole possession of fifth position.
First round leader Hendry, winner of this event by seven strokes last year, birdied the 12th and eagled the par-five 13th to take the lead on 10 under.
However, unexpectedly he proceeded to bogey the next three holes.
“I couldn’t get a feel for the greens and was a bit unsettled at times. I need to work on that. I am still very much in the hunt and hopefully that will be my only bad run of holes this week,” said Hendry.
Hie, the 22 year old who was second in the Indonesia PGA Championship, went out in three-over-par 38 and looked to be out of the running until his inspired finish.
“I never gave up. I always thought I could make some birdies and get back on track. It means a lot to me and I am passionate about playing well this week in my national Open. Anything can happen from here on in,” said the Indonesian, who is trying to become only the second Indonesian to win the national Open since Kasiadi in 1989.
The halfway cut was made at even par with a total of seven Indonesians making the cut.
Indonesia’s Andik Mauludin is also bidding for honours. He came in with a 69 and is four off the lead. The 29 year old is a multiple winner as an amateur and professional in Indonesia.
Jordan Irawan, a 15 year old Indonesian amateur, fired a 71 and is a stroke further behind Mauludin. The youngster, whose caddie is also 15, won the Enjoy Jakarta World Junior Golf Championship at the same venue in June.
Leading second round scores:
(par 72)
135 – Han Chang-won (KOR) 68 67
136 – Michael Hendry (NZL) 65 71, Hideto Tanihara (JPN) 67 69, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 68 68, Michael Wright (AUS) 69 67
138 – Rory Hie (INA) 68 70, Kim Felton (AUS) 68 70, Rohan Blizard (AUS) 68 70
139 – Chris Campbell (AUS) 72 67, Kim Hyung-tae (KOR) 70 69, Andik Mauludin (INA) 70 69, Brent McCullough (AUS) 71 68, Wisut Artjanawat (THA) 70 69, Li Chao (CHN) 69 70
140 – Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 71 69, Stephen Allan (AUS) 71 69, Nasin Surachman (INA) 71 69, Matthew Griffin (AUS) 73 67, Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 72 68, Liang Wenchong (CHN) 72 68, Zhang Xinjun (CHN) 73 67, David Oh (USA) 69 71, Jamal Ondo (INA) 70 70, Jordan Irawan (INA) (a) 69 71, Chawalit Plaphol (THA) 72 68, Takuya Taniguchi (JPN) 68 72, Ashley Hall (AUS) 69 71
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