Thailand’s Tirawat Kaewsiribandit leads on the Asian Tour

Shiv Kapur in action on the golf course. Image Credit: Supplied

Thailand’s Tirawat Kaewsiribandit carded his second successive seven-under-par 64, helped by two eagles, to take the clubhouse lead in the 38th Shinhan Donghae Open at the Koma Country Club in Nara, Japan on Friday, upstaging an exceptional line-up of players from the Asian, Japan and Korean Tours.

The young Thai golfer has won once before on the Asian Tour – in the 2018 UMA CNS Open Golf Championship in Pakistan – but is now in uncharted territory in one of the region’s biggest and most prestigious events, moving to 14 under par at the halfway mark.

UAE-based Shiv Kapur shot a second consecutive 69 to lie in tied 60th place, currently the cut line on four under par with many players still to complete their rounds.

Soft conditions

Kapur hit 16 of 18 greens in round one with 31 putts and in the second round hit just 10 greens but recovered his round with just 25 putts.

Speaking to Gulf News after his round, Kapur said: “The course conditions are very soft and there is a huge premium on hitting fairways. The key to scoring this week is controlling the spin on the ball when it hits the green. I had a steady start today but need to sharpen up my wedge play to, hopefully, move up the leaderboard. Fingers crossed I make the cut.”

A 90-minute weather delay at the start of the day meant 32 players were unable to complete round two. Play will resume at 6.50am local time on Saturday.

Japan’s No 1-ranked Kazuki Higa came in with a 63 and is one back, while PGA Tour star Siwoo Kim from Korea, shot a 65 to sit a further stroke behind. Japan’s Riki Kawamoto also fired a 65 and is 11 under.

First round leader Richard T. Lee from Canada, who carded a course record 62 on Thursday, is 11 under with five holes left.

Fine form

He began on tee 10 and quickly raised the bar with eagles on 13 and 17, both par fives. He made four birdies and one bogey in total.

Higa has triumphed twice on the Japan Golf Tour Organisation this year and his fine form was once again on display when he put together a flawless round of eight birdies.

In April he won the Kansai Open Golf Championship, and in June the BMW Japan Golf Tour Championship Mori Building Cup.

The event’s star attraction Siwoo Kim, a three-time PGA Tour winner, is lurking ominously going into the weekend.

Defending champion Yoseop Seo from Korea returned a 68 and is five under for the tournament, while his countryman Bio Kim, the current leader of the Asian Tour Order of Merit, shot 67 and is four under.