Thailand’s Chanettee Wannasaen scored 15 points on day two at the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Stableford Challenge to hold a three-point lead after 36 holes.
After scoring 13 points on her opening round in the US$750,000 event, which is co-sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour and Asian Tour, the Thai star backed that up with another excellent round at Siam Country Club’s Waterside Course.
A Modified Stableford is being used this week with points based on the number of strokes taken at each hole: albatross 8 points, eagle 5 points, birdie 2 points, par 0 points, bogey: -1 point, double bogey or more: -3 points.
The 17-year-old carded a round of six-under-par 66 which included eagles on the eighth and tenth holes, as well as three birdies and one bogey.
And Wannasaen, who has the nickname ‘Proud’, was pleased with her day’s work especially the eagles.
“Today, I played very well because I got two eagles and three birdies but on the ninth, my last hole, I got a bogey,” she said. “It is okay though because I got two eagles which was 10 points, so that was very good. My shots were perfect today.
“I didn’t change my gameplan, I Just focus on myself and on my shots. I want to keep improving at every tournament that I play. For the final two rounds I am going to do the same and just focus on my shots and my routine.”
Thailand’s Natipong Srithong and Korea’s Kyongjun Moon sit in a tie for second place on 25 points after scoring 20 and 15 points, respectively, on day two.
Srithong, who produced the best round of the day, was happy with his day and believes the Modified Stableford format is good for his game.
He said: “Today’s round was very good; it was a really good day. I hit it very well and my putting was also very good, I have a lot of chances for birdies and eagles. I was lucky to make two eagles on par-fives. On number eight I hit my second shot near the green and chipped in, and on the last hole I hit driver and three-iron onto the green and made a long putt.
“I’ve never played this format before and I was worried about counting the points, but I think it’s good for my game and mentality to be aggressive and always go for the pin. With the two eagles I made 10 points on two holes.”
Korea’s Joohyung Kim is in fourth place heading into the final two days with 24 points, while Indonesia’s Rory Hie is one point behind in fifth place.
Maja Stark, a two-time LET winner, sits in sixth place on 22 points alongside Thailand’s Jaravee Boonchant.
The 22-year-old Swede made two bogeys and a birdie on the front nine but had a blistering back nine which saw her make an eagle on the 10th followed by six birdies in her final eight holes.
“On the eighth I hit it in the water, so I had to switch my ball, so I guess it was the new ball because I have no idea what the change was,” she said.
“It was an overall lack of confidence on the front nine. Maybe I was lucky because I hit two solid shots on ten without the confidence and it started going my way. It took the eagle and then a couple of birdies and then I thought ‘oh I can play golf’.
“I had no idea what I shot today or how many points or anything, so I think it became like match play. I was trying not to be stupid and trying to hit towards the flag every time. Now I know how to play golf, hopefully I can bring my confidence into tomorrow.”
Boonchant, who has the nickname ‘Wann’, holed out on the ninth from a fairway bunker and she believes that kickstarted her round.
“I think the eagle on number nine really helped me because it boosted my confidence up but overall, I think I didn’t hit as many greens as yesterday and the ball didn’t drop as much,” she explained.
“I was more confident than last week, and the different format has forced everyone to go more aggressive and I think that is why everyone is shooting low including me.”
Argentina’s Miguel Carballo and Australian Travis Smyth sit on 21 points after 36 holes in a share of eighth place with five players tied for 10th including Welshwoman Chloe Williams who scored 19 points on day two – the best score by a female.
“The last couple of weeks my game has not felt comfortable, I have persevered with feelings and then today it all came together. I gave myself plenty of chances,” said Williams.
“I went really silly at every flag, it is playing quite short and you’re not going in with a lot of club and even when you are, you are just playing conservative and to areas of the green where you can give yourself a chance. I putted really well today and converted a lot of those putts which is the difference.
“I matched both today my long game and putting was really good. I made a lot of good saves and there was a lot of scrambling. I had patience and it all came together.”
The cut fell at 11 points with 73 players making it through to the final two days of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Stableford Challenge.
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