Phachara Khongwatmai Tied Third at Hong Kong Open
Thailand's Phachara Khongwatmai is tied for third at the halfway point of the Hong Kong Open, four shots behind leader Matthew Cheung. With two rounds remaining, Phachara and several other Thai golfers remain in contention for the title and exemptions to The Masters and The Open Championship.
Phachara Khongwatmai, a seven-time Asian Tour winner, added a 3-under 67 with four birdies and a bogey to reach 10-under 130, tying India's Anirban Lahiri and England's Steve Lewton for third. Overnight leader Matthew Cheung surged ahead with a bogey-free 8-under 62 featuring an eagle and six birdies to lead at 14-under 126. Phachara said conditions were similar to day one but windier in the morning; his bogey was routine and he remains within striking distance with two rounds left, targeting 5-under each day to contend for the Major exemptions on offer. Cheung credited a putter change for renewed confidence and plans to stick to his shot-by-shot process. Fellow Thais Sarit Suwannarat and Atiruj Winaicharoenchai each shot 66 to sit at 9-under in a share of sixth. Sutthi Pattanan (68) and Louis Oosthuizen (66) are at 7-under, while Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Pavit Tangkamolprasert, nursing a thigh injury from a first-round ball strike, is at 3-under after a 68. Other notable Thais include Kantachai Charoenkul at 6-under, while Danthai Boonma and Sadom Kaewkanjana also made the cut.
