Koh Samui (Thailand), June 16: Golfers SSP Chawrasia and Rashid Khan grabbed a share of the third spot after turning in steady second-round cards at the Queen’s Cup here Friday.
Chawrasia, who signed for a bogey-free 68, actually birdied the par-4 ninth hole, but signed for a four. Yet he was seven-under 135 and shared third place with Rashid, home hero Prayad Marksaeng and Filipino Angelo Que, all of whom shot 70 each, Juvic Pagunsan (69) and Thai Pasavee Lertivilai (66).
Thailand’s veteran star Thaworn Wiratchant hit a glorious back nine 28 en route to an eight-under-par 63 to snatch the half-way lead. The 50-year-old Thaworn, was one shot ahead of Nicholas Fung of Malaysia who shot 68-68.
The straight-hitting Chawrasia was in great nick as he produced an eagle and one birdie at Santiburi Samui Country Club here. A top-two finish here can push Chawrasia, a six-time Asian Tour winner, into top spot on the Asian Merit list, which he has said is one of his goals for the year.
“I’m playing good, it’s good going. I’m happy. The last two weeks, I’ve played well in England and Sweden except for the last round. I’m here and I’m among the top three. So I’m looking forward to the next two days. If I win it, I can be No.1 on the Order of Merit. If I can finish as No. 1 in Asia, it’ll be my biggest achievement,” stated Chawrasia at the end of the day’s play. Incidentally, the Order of Merit is determined by the gross earnings of a golfer.
“The putting has been a bit of a struggle. I’m hitting it (drives) good but need to putt better. I can win the tournament if I putt better. My confidence is high and I feel really good,” he added.
Asked about his signing for a four, when he actually birdied the par-4 ninth, he said, “It’s my own fault. I didn’t check my scorecard. This is the second time it’s happened in my career.” PTI
