Thailand’s Pattaraphol Khanthacha and Khalin Joshi of India turned the tables on the overnight leader Newport Laparojkit at the OB Golf Invitational presented by Sentul Highlands today, posting scores of 65 and 67 respectively to reach 10 under par.

Newport meanwhile was unable to keep the momentum going from his first round 61, dropping two shots in the afternoon to finish in a group at third on eight under par at the US$70,000 Asian Development Tour event.

He was joined in third spot by overnight climbers Deyen Lawson (67) of Australia, Sangchai Kaewcharoen (69) of Thailand and India’s Yuvraj Singh Sandhu (66), winner of the BNI Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament in August.

Yuvraj Singh Sandhu of India pictured in action at the OB Golf Invitational presented by Sentul Highlands on October 5, 2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

Pattaraphol, who won the Singha Pattaya Open in July, was happy enough with his round, but struggled to capitalise on a scorching front nine, after making the turn in 30 with no dropped shots.

“I played pretty well today, and got off to a good start,” he said after his round. “My game was flowing and I made a few birdies on the front nine, then I hit a solid shot on the sixth hole to make the eagle, but after the first nine, the game was quite nasty.

“I hit a three putt on 11 (par five) and from then on, putting was a bit more difficult,” he explained, having posted just the single birdie on his way into the clubhouse.

Joshi, who won the Panasonic Open India in 2018, has been struggling for form of late but has been recently revitalised after taking part in the recent Asian Games.

Sangchai Kaewcharoen of Thailand pictured in action at the OB Golf Invitational presented by Sentul Highlands on October 5, 2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

“In general I’ve been focusing more on the putting and my mid irons which ive been struggling with in the last few months,” he explained. “Last week I was at the Asian Games and I had Shubhankar (Sharma)’s coach there to help me out, had a new pair of eyes to look at my swing. It was a great experience, different atmosphere, I’m glad I made it there.”

In seventh place, with a total of 138 for the two rounds, were Thailand’s Nopparat Panichphol (67), Andrea Saracino (69) of Italy and Sweden’s Filip Lundell (72).

Ahmad Baig (70) of Pakistan and Jack Murdoch (66) of Australia are tied for tenth while Justin Quiban (73) of the Philippines, Italy’s Michele Ortolani (71) and India’s Samarth Dwivedi (67) share 12th position.

In 15th spot, Thailand’s Denwit Boriboonsub (69), Jakraphan Premsrigorn (68) and Puwit Anupansuebsai (72) are joined by Kevin Phelan (68) of Ireland and Malaysia’s Paul San (71).

After two rounds, the cut has been made at +3 which means 51 players will contest the final round in the OB Golf Invitational presented by Sentul Highlands. The event, played from October 4-6, has attracted a field of 102 players and is the first time the ADT has played at Sentul Highlands, an 18 hole championship course designed by Gary Player and officially opened in 1997. Surrounded by several mountains in the Sentul City estate, the course offers sweeping vistas in nearly every direction.