Saturday, August 25, 2007
AUSTRALIA'S Unho Park and Jason Knutzon of United States grabbed the clubhouse lead with a two-stroke advantage at the weather-disrupted Iskandar Johor Open yesterday.
Park battled through bad weather for his second straight 69 while Knutzon blasted a 67 for a four-under 138 total in the second round at the Royal Johor Country Club.
Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit leader Liang Wen-chong, who shot a 68 in the opening round, was one over for the day with two holes to play before play was suspended at 7pm due to darkness.
Asian Tour's Airil Rizman enjoyed a solid home run with a 69 in joint third place alongside rookie Taichiro Kiyota of Japan who was even-par for the day. Clay Devers of the United States improved with a 69 while Scotsman Simon Yates rose up the ranks after a 70 in tied fifth spot at the US$300,000 event.
Park, who is ranked 16th on the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit, fired four birdies against two dropped shots as he hopes to play it cool heading into the third round.
"My putting was good and I was striking the ball better than yesterday (Thursday). If I looked back at my stats, I only hit eight greens in regulation on Thursday, but today (Friday) it was much better. I didn't hole that many putts though. Overall, it was a solid round for me.
"I haven't really led in an Asian Tour event down to the final round ... so if it happens, it will be a new thing for me," said Park.
Knutzon, who won the Motorola International Bintan, was pleased to be back on track with his game after losing grip since his triumph in March.
"I am really happy. I haven't really played well since Indonesia. I was even struggling last week but it's amazing how I can refocus."AFP
Park battled through bad weather for his second straight 69 while Knutzon blasted a 67 for a four-under 138 total in the second round at the Royal Johor Country Club.
Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit leader Liang Wen-chong, who shot a 68 in the opening round, was one over for the day with two holes to play before play was suspended at 7pm due to darkness.
Asian Tour's Airil Rizman enjoyed a solid home run with a 69 in joint third place alongside rookie Taichiro Kiyota of Japan who was even-par for the day. Clay Devers of the United States improved with a 69 while Scotsman Simon Yates rose up the ranks after a 70 in tied fifth spot at the US$300,000 event.
Park, who is ranked 16th on the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit, fired four birdies against two dropped shots as he hopes to play it cool heading into the third round.
"My putting was good and I was striking the ball better than yesterday (Thursday). If I looked back at my stats, I only hit eight greens in regulation on Thursday, but today (Friday) it was much better. I didn't hole that many putts though. Overall, it was a solid round for me.
"I haven't really led in an Asian Tour event down to the final round ... so if it happens, it will be a new thing for me," said Park.
Knutzon, who won the Motorola International Bintan, was pleased to be back on track with his game after losing grip since his triumph in March.
"I am really happy. I haven't really played well since Indonesia. I was even struggling last week but it's amazing how I can refocus."AFP