Shiv Kapur slides down in Thailand

Edited by Anand Datla

February 12, 2015: Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat fired his way back into contention with five-under-par 67 to pile the pressure on Spaniard leader Miguel Angel Jimenez after the second round of the inaugural US$2 million True Thailand Classic presented by Black Mountain on Friday. Indian golfers slipped down the ladder, with Shiv Kapur the highest placed at 29th, after a disappointing 73 in the second round.

Arjun Atwal was the pick of the lot, climbing 34 places to 35th with a 67 on Friday. Jyoti Randhawa shot 70 to remain inside the best 50 golfers through 36 holes. A second straight 71 was just not good enough for SSP Chowrasia, as he slid to 65th. Anirban Lahiri is in 48th, down from 20th yesterday after he made 72 in the second round. Gaganjeet Bhullar, Rahil Gangjee and Rashid Khan were among those that missed the cut.

The charismatic Spanish veteran, who is the oldest player in the field, was once again in his element as he raced atop the leaderboard with a 66 while Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand made his move by carding a similar 66 to share third place with Australia’s Scott Hend and one-time Asian Tour winner, Richard T. Lee of Canada at the Black Mountain Golf Club.

Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat meanwhile created the early headlines when he became the proud new owner of a luxury townhouse worth 12 million Thai baht, courtesy of his hole-in-one at the par-three 14th. After missing the cut at the season-opening event in Malaysia last week, Kiradech returned with all guns blazing at the richest golf tournament in Thailand.

The 2013 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, who started on the back-nine 10, had an opening birdie to get his round going.    He went on to mix two bogeys against two birdies for an outward 35.  But it was an eagle-three on the second hole that surged him further up the leaderboard. Although he dropped another shot on five, the Thai would respond quickly with another three birdies in his closing four holes to sign for a two-day total of 10-under-par 134.

“I’ve been striking the ball well. I did not make too many mistakes and that’s a huge boost to my confidence,” said Kiradech.

The Thai, who played alongside Jimenez in his opening two rounds, holds the Spaniard in high regard and is wary of the 51-year-old as the weekend rounds approach.    “It’s not easy to beat an old guy like him. He hits the ball very far and is striking it very well. He’s a world-class player in my eyes,” said Kiradech.

Jimenez defied father time and the effects of flu to take his place at the top.  Despite having his card marred by a lone bogey at the last, Jimenez is confident of taking on the best players from the Asian Tour and European Tour.    “I’m very happy. I’m disappointed to make bogey on the last but overall I played very solid and made a lot of birdies.  You’re always happy when you’re under-par and the more under-par you are, the happier you are,” said Jimenez.