Yangon, February 3: Asian Tour rookie Wade Ormsby of Australia maintained the pace in his title charge at the Zaykabar Myanmar Open presented by Air Bagan after taking the early second round lead with a two-under-par 70 on Friday.
Overnight joint leader Ormsby, who earned his Asian Tour card at Qualifying School earlier this year, holds a one-shot lead over proven winner Chawalit Plaphol of Thailand with 10-under-par 134 at the Royal Mingalardon Golf and Country Club.
Another Asian Tour graduate Arnond Vongvanij of Thailand shot a 69 to tie with Japanese Masanori Kobayashi on 136 in the US$300,000 event, returning on the Asian Tour schedule after a one-year lapse.
“I hit it just as well as yesterday but didn’t make any putts out there. The pins are a bit tricky and the wind was picking up a bit but it was still pretty similar. Anytime you are in the front it is all good. I feel good out there so it doesn’t matter if I’m leading or being a couple of shots back,” said Ormsby, a former European Tour player.
Ormsby, who hit 16 greens in regulation, failed to produce his opening round magic but was still delighted to be in the running of winning his first Asian Tour title.
“Your expectations get high after a good day so I thought shooting a seven-under would be a good one today. I had my chances but I’m pretty happy with my performance. I really feel like I can be up there and win a bit more out here which is something I haven’t been able to do in Europe,” said Ormsby, who is among 15 Australians playing this week.
Highly rated Arnond of Thailand, 23, made an early charge with four birdies in seven holes but dropped a double bogey on the 18th hole where his second shot found water.
“Some of the pins were tough to get close. I think it is still pretty fair. I’m happy with the way I’ve played in the last two days. If I try to eliminate the mistakes, I think there’s a chance to win at the end,” said the finance degree graduate from the University of Florida.
Overnight leaders Scott Hend and Ben Fox will tee off in the afternoon.
