Manjung [PERAK]: Overnight leader John Catlin shot a two-under-par 70 on Thursday to take the second-round lead at the RM200,000 at the Professional Golf of Malaysia  (PGM) EurAsia Perak Championship.

Malaysian Kemarol Baharin moved up an impressive ten spots with his second round score of 67 at the Damai Laut Golf & Country Club.

Joining him at tied-second is conpatriot and joint first round leader Brandon Lau and American Paul Harris at 139.

Catlin started off his round at the 10th hole consistently with 12 straight pars before dropping a shot on the fourth.

However, he bounced back on hole five where he made birdie and added two more on holes seven and eight to finish strong at six-under-par 138.

“Putting was good even though yesterday, I made a couple of longer putts. I made a 15-footer on the eighth and made birdie. I am happy with how I finished. Pin positions today were tough but fair and I played the course exactly how I did yesterday,” said the exhausted American, who is playing his eighth tournament in as many weeks.

“I am way more tired today but I will fight through it and stay tough. I came down with a little cough but like I said, nothing changes for tomorrow,” added the 26-year-old.

A total of 50 players made the halfway cut, set at at 17-over 159 in the Asian Development Tour (ADT) co-sanctioned event.

Leading second round results (Par-72):
138 – John Catlin (USA) 68-70
139 – KEMAROL BAHARIN 72-67, Paul Harris (USA) 69-70, BRANDON LAU KA KIN 68-71
140 – Panuwat Muenlek (THA) 72-68, SHARIFFUDDIN ARIFFIN 70-70, Martin Dive (AUS) 69-71
141 – AMIR NAZRIN JAILANI 72-69, Josh Salah (USA) 70-71
142 – Malcolm Kokocinski (SWE) 73-69, Jakraphan Premsirigorn (THA) 76-66
143 – KENNETH TOBUSE 71-72, NACHIMUTHU RAMASAMY 70-73
144 – KENNETH DE SILVA 74-70, Nattawat Suvajanakorn (THA) 72-72