Melbourne: Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand, Filipino Antonio Lascuna and Korean star K.J. Choi ensured a
strong Asian presence in the top-10 at the halfway stage of the US$8 million ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf on Friday.<\/p>\n
All three players will enter the weekend rounds at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in a share of ninth place, seven shots behind leader Thomas
Bjorn of Denmark who carded a three-under-par 68 for a two-day total of eight-under-par 134.<\/p>\n
American Kevin Streelman battled to a 69 to trail Bjorn by one while Jason Day of Australia and Ricardo Santos of Portugal share third
place on 138 in the individual category which is offering US$7 million in total prize money. Japan\u2019s Hideto Tanihara, who won at home last
week, carded a fine 67 for tied fifth place on 139.<\/p>\n
In the team category, Streelman and countryman Matt Kuchar are in top position with a combined score of 274, three shots ahead of Bjorn and
Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark. Australia\u2019s Adam Scott and Jason Day and Japan\u2019s Tanihara and Ryo Ishikawa share third on 281 as they chase for US$1 million which is on offer for the team category.\n<\/p>\n
Kiradech, who has risen to 68th on the Official World Golf Ranking this season, overcame a double bogey and a bogey with four birdies as
he stayed within striking reach of the leader.<\/p>\n
With winds swirling around the magnificent Royal Melbourne, the burly Thai stayed in red numbers, thanks to a reliable putter. \u201cThe way I
struck the ball, it wasn\u2019t good but the key thing on this course is the putting. Today, I holed a lot putts and that saved my score,\u201d said
Kiradech, who took 28 putts, three fewer than his opening round.<\/p>\n
The burly Thai knows he must keep his head straight and disregard his go-for-broke style of play on a course which has seen only 14 players
remain under par after two rounds at the famous sandbelt course.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe winds were strong and I tried to keep the ball low. I adjusted too much with the swing and something was wrong. The winds and this
type of course don\u2019t suit my game. I just have to concentrate hard and keep to my game plan,\u201d said the 24-year-old.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want to force myself. I\u2019ve played great the whole year and I don\u2019t want to force myself here. Hopefully I can sink a few more putts
this weekend. It\u2019s a good position to be in the top-10. A few strokes behind the leader and on this course, even if you\u2019re 10 behind, you
can still catch up.\u201d<\/p>\n
After starting the day strongly with a birdie on two, Choi fell off the pace with a double bogey on the fourth hole before adding four
more bogeys against two birdies for a 74.
<\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t a tough day. Only one shot on number four for a double bogey,\u201d lamented Choi, who is an Asian Tour honorary member and an
eight-time winner on the PGA Tour.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe greens were harder in the afternoon. On some holes, I hit it (the putts) too long and some, I left it short. Anyway, my game is still
okay. The wind was also blowing. I got a bit unlucky with the winds and it was confusing at times.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn this course, you never know what will happen. Tomorrow will be an important day. If we can get four or five under, we\u2019ll be okay. We\u2019re
only human, sometimes, we make mistakes. But I love it here, I love this course.\u201d<\/p>\n
Playing in only his second World Cup of Golf, the 42-year-old Lascuna continued to impress many with his steady play as he traded two
birdies against as many bogeys.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe course is so dangerous. I left a lot of putts short but that\u2019s all you can do. On 18, I had a chance for birdie from about seven
feet. I thought it was a downhill putt but I misread it completely. I\u2019m still so happy with even par,\u201d said the amiable Lascuna.<\/p>\n
\u201cI controlled my game well. I missed one drive all day. I tried to keep the ball in play. I didn\u2019t attack any pins. Top-10 now, I\u2019m going
to try to stay on the leaderboard. I\u2019m just going for greens and fairways. Just playing safe out there and don\u2019t be greedy with the
iron play. I\u2019m happy to get pars and if some birdies drop, I\u2019m happy.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Melbourne: Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand, Filipino Antonio Lascuna and Korean star K.J. Choi ensured a
strong Asian presence in the top-10 at the halfway stage of the US$8 million ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf on Friday.<\/p>\n
All three players will enter the weekend rounds at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in a share of ninth place, seven shots behind leader Thomas
Bjorn of Denmark who carded a three-under-par 68 for a two-day total of eight-under-par 134.<\/p>\n
American Kevin Streelman battled to a 69 to trail Bjorn by one while Jason Day of Australia and Ricardo Santos of Portugal share third
place on 138 in the individual category which is offering US$7 million in total prize money. Japan\u2019s Hideto Tanihara, who won at home last
week, carded a fine 67 for tied fifth place on 139.<\/p>\n
In the team category, Streelman and countryman Matt Kuchar are in top position with a combined score of 274, three shots ahead of Bjorn and
Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark. Australia\u2019s Adam Scott and Jason Day and Japan\u2019s Tanihara and Ryo Ishikawa share third on 281 as they chase for US$1 million which is on offer for the team category.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[38],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17954","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-world-golf-news"],"yoast_head":"\n