Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat made a determined assault on the leader board in Round Two of the Singha Laguna Phuket Open today, posting a bogey-free eight under par round to take the lead at -10 going into the weekend.

With four birdies on each side, Chapchai was making the most of a new putter and despite the wind, made sure to stamp his mark on the tournament with a 62.

“Good game for me today,” he said following his round. “Strong wind so it was a bit difficult but my tee shots were good, putting was also good.”

“I have a new putter this week, and it’s feeling great. I needed to change after the International Series Vietnam. My short game was really good there but the putter wasn’t working so I changed and now it feels really good.”

“Tomorrow we will see. Two more days but my game is feeling good so let’s see.”

Naraajie Ramadhan Putra (Photo courtesy All Thailand Golf Tour)

Naraajie Ramadhan Putra of Indonesia posted another low round with a five under par 65, building on his first round score of -4 to secure solo second place on -9.

Nirun Sae-ueng of Thailand lies in third spot on -8, followed by a group of -7 in fourth spot, led by Poom Saksansin who also scored a bogey-free round of 66.

“I had a good round today, I did quite well,” Poom said after his round. “There was a lot of wind and it was hot but I just tried to keep it in the fairway and make the putts.

“Putting was OK but I was leaving a lot short. The greens break less than you think and you need to give the putts a little bit more because the greens are a bit slow from the rain this morning.

“Hole seven I thought I did OK, hit two good shots but then missed the putt for birdie, and then on 12, I hit it over the green and thought I was going to drop a shot but ended up holing a long putt for par.

“I’m going to rest and hopefully get a good recovery and then tomorrow try to go low again,” he added.

Poom Saksansin (Photo courtesy All Thailand Golf Tour)

Overnight leaders Nopparat Panichphol and Atiruj Winaicharoenchai of Thailand were unable to capitalize on their position today, both posting even par rounds of 70, and together with compatriot Witchayanon Chothirunrungrueng complete the group in fourth place.

Joe Heraty of England sits in a group on -6 in eighth place, together with Thai players Jakkanat Inmee, Itthipat Buranatanyarat, Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij, Ekpharit Wu and Arnond Vongvanij.

And in spite of the strong winds, a sweetly-struck nine iron at the eight hole made it a day to remember for Thailand’s Nutdanai Nuangjaknin who holed out for an ace on the 158-yard par 3.

The Singha Laguna Phuket Open, which is jointly sanctioned with the All Thailand Golf Tour (ATGT), offers prize money of THB4 million (approximately US$117,000).

Main picture: Chapchai Nirat (Photo courtesy All Thailand Golf Tour)