SOUTH AFRICA’S CHARL Schwartzel shot a second consecutive seven-under 65 to extend his lead to four shots at the Thailand Golf Championship.
Schwartzel posted seven birdies in the best round of the day on Friday to reach 14-under overall at the Amata Spring Country Club.
Swede Daniel Chopra is second at 10 under courtesy of his five-under 67, one stroke ahead of Japan’s Masanori Kobayashi (67) and local hope Thitiphun Chuayprakong, who was three under for his round with three holes remaining when play was suspended due to darkness.
“I played good,” Kobayashi said after day two at the Asian Tour event.
“I’m hitting a lot of good shots and it’s easy for me to play during the round.“I spent some time earlier this year here to practice. I like this course. The fairways are wide and conditions are good.
“I don’t think you can really make low scores as it’s a hard golf course.”
Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa is outright fifth at eight under, while Masters champion Bubba Watson, Spaniard Sergio Garcia and Australian Scott Hend are a further two shots adrift in a tie for sixth.
“I’m in a decent position,” Garcia said.“I would like to do better for the weekend but hopefully if I get a good weekend then I might have a chance.”
Englishman Lee Westwood, Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts and Australia’s Darren Beck are among seven players in a tie for ninth at five under.
Meanwhile, Ireland’s Darren Clarke is currently on two under.
