Samui (ASIAN TOUR): Japan’s Daisuke Kataoka is on a revenge hunt after he signed for a second round three-under-par 68 to continue his stranglehold on the lead at the THB 9.6 million (approximately US$312,000) Queen’s Cup on Friday.
After suffering the disappointment of missing out on a grandstand finish in his last event in Jakarta, the 24-year-old is determined not to lose his grip on the lead again as he heads into the weekend round with a two-day total of nine-under-par 133 at the Santiburi Samui Country Club.
Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng kept the local hopes alive when he fired the day’s lowest score of 64 to share second place with Bangladesh’s Siddikur.
Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung also posted a 64 to take equal fourth place alongside Thailand’s Arnond Vongvanij and Jazz Janewattananond on matching 136s.
Kataoka never had the experience of leading a tournament until his heroics in Jakarta saw him equal his best result on the Asian Tour with a third place finish last month.
Having put himself into another commanding position again, the Japanese is eager to make amends this week. “I’m looking for revenge! I couldn’t handle the pressure back then but I’m feeling a lot better now. I feel that I’m ready and I don’t want to lose out again,” said Kataoka.
Kataoka dropped his first shot of the week at the par-three 13th but battled back into contention quickly by making three consecutive birdies starting from the 16th hole.
After turning in 33, the Japanese added another birdie on the eighth hole to extend his advantage over the chasing pack to two. “I played well today except for the 16th where I misjudged my shot. Other than that, my tee shots were perfect and I managed to find the greens on many occasions,” said Kataoka.
Fung will have to make last minute changes to his flight itinerary home after he surprised even himself with a 64. “I initially booked an early afternoon flight back to Kuala Lumpur on Sunday but I think I’ve to change to an evening one now. I’ve always tee off in the early groups but today’s score was totally unexpected,” said a beaming Fung.
“I played really well today. All my putts went in and I even managed to chip in from about 30 yards for eagle on the 16th,” added the Malaysian, who marked his card with six birdies, one eagle and a bogey.
Reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand made the early exit after he carded a 75 to miss the weekend cut which was set at four-over-par.
Leading second round scores
133 – Daisuke Kataoka (JPN) 65-68
135 – Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 71-64, Siddikur (BAN) 66-69
136 – Jazz Janewattananond 68-68, Nicholas Fung (MAS) 72-64, Arnond Vongvanij (THA) 69-67
137 – Danny Chia (MAS) 65-72
138 – Quincy Quek (SIN) 71-67, Anirban Lahiri (IND) 71-67, Tetsuji Hiratsuka (JPN) 71-67, Stephen Lewton (ENG) 70-68, Martin Rominger (SUI) 69-69, Elmer Salvador (PHI) 68-70
139 – Chapchai Nirat (THA) 71-68, Mardan Mamat (SIN) 71-68, Berry Henson (USA) 72-67, Chawalit Plaphol (THA) 69-70, Pariya Junhasavasdikul (THA) 67-72, David Lutterus (AUS) 70-69, Hung Chien-yao (TPE) 69-70
