Triple Major winning Padraig Harrington, and wearing a fifth different pair of glasses, to move into a share of fifth place but only two off the lead in the rain-affected OneAsia Tour Thailand Open.
Australia’s Scott Strange, winner of OneAsia’s first-ever tournament five years ago, shot a seven-under par 65 and move to 13-under par on the Greg Norman designed Thana City Golf & Sports Club.
Japan’s Azuma Yano (67, 65), Brazilian Lucas Lee (65, 67), and Australian Terry Pilkadaris (68, 64) shared second place in the clubhouse, with eight others a shot further behind — including some still to complete their rounds.
Padraig Harrington, with a fifth pair of new spectacles, just two from the lead with two rounds to play of the Thailand Open. (Photo – OneAsia Tour).
Defending champion Chris Wood (67, 66), Harrington (67, 66), Koreans Hwang Jung-gon (65, 68), Lee Kyoung-hoon (67, 66) and Cho Min-gyu (65,68) and Thailand’s Thanyakon Khrongpha (70, 63) finished on 11 under.
The second round will resume on Saturday with 36 players still to finish and a cut hovering around minus five.
Strange, who lost his European Tour card last year, credited the lifestyle change for allowing him to spend more time with his family, and he relished the opportunity to play closer to home on OneAsia and the Japan Tour.
“A few things have changed in my life,” he said.
“I’m not playing as much overseas, and we’ve got another daughter so I’m trying to be home a bit more. The mind is relaxed and refreshed.
“I think the Japanese Tour is a great fit — especially for family life in Australia. You’re not flying to Europe for six or seven months of the year and then coming back, so if I’m fortunate enough to win this week, I’ll be in Japan and that would be great.”
Harrington was happy with his second-round effort as he continued experimenting with different glasses in a bid to find his putting touch.
“These glasses are pair number five,” said Harrington smiling.
“I also have six and seven with me this week, but pair number five seems to be the one making it at the moment.
“They’re all different frames and different lenses. These are a little bit shorter and the screw is a bit long, but they seem to be winning.”
The round of the day belonged to Thai youngster Thanyakon, who equalled the course record 63 set by Welshman Ian Woosnam during the Johnnie Walker Super Tour in 1996.
“I hit it close all day as it is a fairly easy course,” said the 22-year-old, who only turned pro two years ago but has won twice on the ASEAN PGA Tour.
“I am starting to think about winning the tournament now as there are going to be a lot of low scores and I have to be aggressive.”
Unfortunately, newly-appointed European Ryder Cup captain, Paul McGinley now faces a race against time to be fit for the up-coming Tavistock Cup after being forced out of the Thai event early on one day two with a back complaint.
