Georgetown (PENANG): Wonderkid Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand, who become the youngest winner of a professional event with his victory in last year’s Singha Hua Hin Open, grabbed a share of the halfway lead at the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM)-ASEAN PGA Penang Championship on Thursday.

The 15-year-old, now competing as a professional, shot a 67 to join countrymen Nakarintra Ratanakul and Atthaphon Sriboonkaew in top spot on nine-under-par 135 at Penang Golf Club.

The youngster has largely held his own on the ASEAN PGA Tour since his amazing win last July and is currently 11th on the Road to Sabah Masters rankings after making the cut in all five events this season.

Starting his round at the 10th, the hugely talented 15 year old was quickly into his game with an eagle at the par-five 12th but was soon back to even par for his round after back-to-back bogeys on the 13th and 14th.

He kick-started his challenge with a birdie on the second followed by an eagle at the par-five third and shot two birdies in the last three holes to upstage a host of seasoned professionals.

Nakarintra, who was bogey-free in the opening round, had to battle hard for a two-under 70. The University of Purdue graduate, who has missed three cuts in four events on the ASEAN PGA Tour this season, shot five birdies and three bogeys, two of them coming at short par-fives.

Atthaphon, winner of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz Masters Indonesia on the ASEAN PGA Tour, joined him in the lead with a well-constructed 67. He opened with a bogey but proceeded to shoot six birdies, including three in four holes from the 12th.

Thailand’s Pipatpong Naewsuk, runner up to Chapchai Nirat in last week’s Singha Chiangmai Open, burst back into contention with a best-of-the-tournament 64.

An opening 75 had left the double SEA Games gold medallist well behind the leaders but he re-found the form that saw him push Chapchai all the way in Chiangmai and carded nine birdies in a polished display.

Leading second round scores (Malaysian unless stated):
135 – Nakarintra Ratanakul (THA) 65-70, Atthaphon Sriboonkaew (THA) 68-67, Phachara Khongwatmai (THA) 68-67
136 – Jhonnel Ababa (PHI) 68-68
137 – Piya Swangarunporn (THA) 67-70, Ratchapol Jantavara (THA) 68-69
138 – Choo Tze Huang (SIN) 72-66, Khor Kheng Hwai (MAS) 71-67, Pravee Visalkit (THA) 65-73
139 – Abel Tam (MAS) 70-69, Mike Bibat (PHI) 69-70, Pipatong Naewsuk (THA) 75-64, Wilson Choo (MAS) 68-71, Thammanoon Sriroj (THA) 72-67, Chan Soo Keong (MAS) 71-68