Khon Kaen, Thailand; June 30: An upbeat Udorn Duangdecha predicted he would win the Singha E-San Open after storming to a four-shot lead at the halfway mark on Thursday.

The 40-year-old Thai shot a sparkling seven-under-par 65 for a total of 13 under 131 in the third leg of the 2011 ASEAN PGA Tour at Singha Park Golf Club.

Tanutchan Puaktes and Napat Pattamasing matched Udorn’s 65 to leap into a tie for second place with fellow Thais Prom Meesawat, in with a 69, and Poosit Supupramai, who eagled the final hole for a 67.

Prom had shared the overnight lead with Udorn and defending champion Thaworn Wiratchant after opening with a 66. Veteran Thaworn shot a 73 to fall eight shots behind the leader.

The colourful Udorn hit every fairway in regulation and took just 27 putts during an accomplished round and said he would be hard to catch.
“I can say that I will win this tournament if I continue the way I am playing – I am very confident,” he said.

Udorn won the King’s Cup on the Asian Tour at Singha Park Golf Club last November and is relishing the windy conditions on one of his favourite courses.

Starting at the 10th hole, he birdied the first three holes before dropping his only shot of the round at the 14th. He went on to birdie the 15th, 17th, third, seventh and ninth.

“I really like this course. You have to hit a lot of shots low into the wind and I do that well. This is the best round I have had here – I struck my irons well and holed a lot of putts,” said Udorn, who is bidding for his second title on the ASEAN PGA Tour after winning the 2010 Singha Pattaya Open.

Tanutchan, 23, rode a hot putter to a bogey-free 65 to put himself in contention for his first title.“I putted really well today and sank a couple of long ones which was nice,” he said. “Tomorrow I will just aim for the centre of the greens and rely on my putting to shoot another low score.”

Prayad Marksaeng, who qualified for the British Open after finishing sixth at last week’s Mizuno Open in Japan, pulled out of the second round. – www.aseanpgatour.com

Leading second round scores(Thai unless stated)

131 – Udorn Duangdecha 66-65
135 – Tanutchan Puaktes 70-65, Prom Meesawat 66-69, Napat Pattamasing 70-65, Poosit Supupramai 68-67
136 – Chapchai Nirat 70-66, Chawinroj Rungsrichai 68-68
137 – Pariya Junhasavasdikul 71-66
138 – Kwanchai Tannin 67-71, Namchok Tantipokhakul 71-67
139 – Pol Kemmarat 69-70, Chawalit Plaphol 70-69, Thaworn Wiratchant 66-73

Selected
142 – Jay Bayron (PHI) 71-71