Pattaya, May 6: Thailand’s Prom Meesawat shot a career-best 10-under-par 62, highlighted by a hole-in-one, to storm into the halfway lead at the Singha Pattaya Open on Friday.

Prom, one of the brightest prospects in Asian golf before his game deserted him a few years ago, is on 12-under-par 132, two ahead of countryman Thammanoon Sriroj who shot his second straight 67 at Burapha Golf Club.
Kwanchai Tannin is a further stroke behind after a 68 with first round leader Atiwit Janewattananond (70), Atthaphon Prathummanee (67) and Indonesia’s Rory Hie (66) in joint fourth on eight-under 136.

he Singha Pattaya Open is the season-opening event on the ASEAN PGA Tour and is joint-sanctioned by the All Thailand Golf Tour.

Prom, who won the title in 2006, started quickly with three straight birdies and finished the front nine with an ace sandwiched in between two birdies. He was out in 29 and carded three more birdies on the back nine.

“That is my best tournament round and I am delighted with the way I played – everything just clicked today,” said the 26-year-old Prom. “The highlight was my hole in one at the eighth. I had 181 yards into the wind and hit a six iron. I heard the ball hit the flagstick but did not know it had gone into the hole until people behind the green started jumping up and down. They told me it was a slum dunk, straight in. “It’s my sixth ace in a tournament but this time there was no prize.”

Prom credited his resurgence to work he has been doing with sports psychologist Dr Pichid Namuengphodi, who guided the successful Thai boxing team, and coach Lervit Boonsombat.

“I know what I should be thinking on the course during a round now and that has really strengthened my game,” said Prom. “And I am swinging a bit differently which has cut down the injuries. I have also been working on my fitness and I am stronger than before.
“When I was playing badly my agent, friends and family kept telling me to keep trying and my form would return – that gave me hope and helped a lot.”
Thammanoon admitted after his bogey-free 67 that he would have to drive the ball straighter to have any hope of catching Prom.

“My iron play, chipping and putting was good but I did not drive the ball well,” said Thammanoon, who chipped in from 10 yards at the second for birdie. “I only hit five fairways today – I will need to improve my driving if I am to win.”

Thai teen sensation Atiwit kept himself in the hunt with a solid 70.
“It is new to me to be challenging in a professional tournament,” said the 15-year-old Atiwit, who is nicknamed “Jazz”.“I am just going to go out tomorrow and have fun. I am not going to put myself under any pressure.”

The cut came at three-over-par 147 with 61 players making it through to the weekend.

Leading second-round scores (Thai unless stated)
132 – Prom Meesawat 70-62

134 – Thammanoon Sriroj 67-67135 – Kwanchai Tannin 67-68

136 – Atiwit Janewattananond 66-70, Atthaphon Prathummanee 69-67, Rory Hie (INA) 70-66137 – Udorn Duangdecha 70-67

139 – Varit Chomchalam 69-70, Jakkapong Juntavara 73-66, Corey Harris (USA) 68-71

140 – Pongthep Jaewchumnanchao 69-71

141 – Namchok Tantipokhakul 70-71, Prayad Marksaeng 68-73, Chawalit Plaphol 74-67, Kiradech Aphibarnrat 72-69, Tanutchan Puaktes 72-69