Palembang, October 25 - Gunn Charoenkul stayed in front at the halfway mark of the Palembang Musi Championship displaying a calm coolness that has seen him emerge as one of the stars on the ASEAN PGA Tour.
The Thai carded a two-under-par 70 at Palembang Golf Club to lead the US$150,000 event on nine-under-par 135.
Malaysian Nicholas Fung, second in this event last year, carded a 68 to lie one stroke off the lead.
Thailand’s Piya Swangarunporn and Annop Tangkamolprasert finished a stroke further back after returning rounds of 69 and 70 respectively.
In August, Gunn burst through with a brilliant wire-to-wire victory in the Singha Esan Open on the ASEAN PGA Tour.
It was the 20-year-old’s first win as a professional and he did it by beating Fung in a sudden-death play-off.
On his final hole today he holed a 25-foot birdie putt to once again squeeze ahead of his Malaysian opponent.
“I really didn’t expect to win in Esan. This year I just wanted to work on keeping my Tour card. Winning was a real shock but also a great learning experience,” said Gunn, whose uncle “Tu” is caddying for him.
Gunn, who claimed a title on the Thai PGA Tour last week also in a playoff, has an eye on the top prize and qualification for the Barclays Singapore Open in two weeks.
The leading three players on the Order of Merit after this event qualify for the US$6 million event at Sentosa Golf Club.
Gunn is presently in third place on the Merit list but with first place worth US$24,050, second US$16,465 and third US$9,145.50, a host of players are in with a chance.
“This is going to be a tough last two rounds, perhaps more than Esan, because we are chasing a place in the Barclays Singapore Open. I am going to have to keep my head down and stick with the game. However I don’t like to put too much pressure on myself,” added Gunn.
Fung returned a bogey free round to give himself a chance of turning the tables on Gunn.
“I feel very comfortable on this course. I am playing well and feel I have a great chance this week,” said Fung.
The Malaysian is fifth on the Merit list but with two players above him gaining entry into the Singapore Open via other channels he presently holds the third qualifying spot.
He said: “There is a lot at stake but this is what we like to play for. This is what makes it exciting”.
Thailand’s Wisut Artjanawat who won this tournament last year by five strokes from Fung made his move by firing a 67.
Wisut, who went on to win the Order of Merit title, moved to six under along with Filipino Antonio Lascuna, who carded a 69.
Singapore’s Mardan Mamat fired a 70 to lie at two under for the tournament. The 44-year-old triumphed in the Philippine Open in February and PGM-CCM Impian Masters in Malaysia in March and will be expected to make a challenge over the next two days.
George Gandranata couldn't repeat the good round from yesterday and dropped to a share of ninth after a round of 74 today. He was surpassed by countrymen Junaidi Ibrahim and Andik Mauluddin who both carded a 70 today and now share 7th place together.
Meanwhile Indonesia's no 1 golfer Rory Hie was able to improve somewhat from his 75 yesterday with a 71 today, but still is in just a share of 39th position at the midpoint.
Leading second round scores (Par 72):
135 Gunn Charoenkul (THA) 65 70
136 Nicholas Fung (MAS) 68 68
137 Piya Swangarunporn (THA) 68 69, Annop Tangkamolprasert (THA) 67 70
138 Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 69 69, Wisut Artjanawat (THA) 71 67
139 Junaidi Ibrahim (INA) 69 70, Andik Mauluddin (INA) 69 70
141 Panuwat Muenlek (THA) 67 74, Pawin Ingkhapradit (THA) 66 75, Andi Yatmo (INA)70 71, George Gandranata (INA) 67 74, Varut Chomchalam (THA) 72 69
142 Mardan Mamat (SIN) 72 70, Mohd Hafiy Afiq Suhaili (MAS) 72 70
Selected:
144 Maan Nasim (INA) 73 71, Hendri Nasim (INA) 72 72, Benny Kasiadi (INA) 72 72
145 Hermawan Indra (INA) 70 75, Edi Sembiring (INA) 76 69, Ilyasyak (INA) 73 72
146 Heri Ki (INA) 71 75, Johannes Dermawan (INA) 74 72, Rory Hie (INA) 75 71
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