Prayad tightens grip in Chiang Mai

Prayad Marksaeng hits a shot on his way to a round of 5-under 67 yesterday. Prayad leads the Chiang Mai Golf Classic by two shots.

Thongchai scorches course, moves two behind

Prayad Marksaeng shot a solid 67 to maintain the lead by two strokes over American Jonathan Moore, local ace Thongchai Jaidee and India's Vijay Singh at the halfway stage of the US$750,000 Chiang Mai Golf Classic at the Alpine Golf Resort yesterday.

Prayad shrugged off a sluggish start, bogeying on the ninth hole where he started, to fire six birdies and tighten his grip on the top of the leaderboard with a 12-under-par 132 total at the par-72, 7,502 yard course.

A fortnight after triumphing at the Thailand Open in Samut Prakan, the 47-year-old from Hua Hin had to adjust to fairways slowed by dew at the mountain-surrounded layout.

"The weather is better for play in the morning but the dew made it difficult to get into good positions. The edge of the pins are cut so sharp that the ball spins off in all directions. But I was happy to hit five-under like I expected," said Prayad who wore the signature pink shirt for which fellow Japan Tour players nicknamed him Pink Man.

" My game with my driver, irons and putting was very good. I used the cross-hand grip today - it seems to be working for me. I'm feeling good. I've been playing very good this year. I changed to a new golf ball and it seems to be giving me more distance. Previously I hit my driver to about 280 yards but now I'm hitting it about 20 yards longer. I had a lot of short putts for birdie, all inside 10 feet," added Prayad, seeking his first Asian Tour win since the season-ending Masters of Asia in 2007.

"The pins were placed in tough positions but I followed my game plan and it worked. I am really getting more distance and that's good with my age. I hope I can maintain my form," said the Thai.

Thai ace Thongchai is in 3-way tie for second after scorching the course with a 7-under 65 yesterday, for a 10-under 134 total.

With him is American Moore, who swapped six birdies against two bogeys for a 68. The 27-year-old is hoping to find his momentum after dismal results from in his last four tournaments.

"It was a good round. … I've not tried to do too much and just try to get my rhythm and it's happened each day. I've also putted well which really helps," said Florida-based Moore, who shares second place with Singh, who carded back-to-back 67s.

Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who won the Malaysian Open last week, fired a 67 to total six-under-par 138, six shots off the pace. "My game was better [yesterday] after I suffered with shaking hands on Thursday due to hyperthyroidism. But today I still couldn't adjust to the greens' speed. My tee shots were longer than last week but my putting didn't work. I still have to improve on my putts but five-under is quite okay." Said Kiradech.

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