Thailand: India's Anirban Lahiri, who shared the lead with fellow Indian golfer S S P Chowrasia at the end of the first day, moved into sole lead with a two-shot edge at the end of the second round of the King's Cup on Friday.
Lahiri, who carded 65 on first day, added a five-under-par 67 after the second round. The five-time Asian Tour winner compiled a two-day total of 12-under-par 132 to extend his morning advantage over Australia's Andrew Dodt by two shots at the Singha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club.
Chowrasia, who also carded 65 on first day, managed only 71 with just one birdie and no other birdies or bogeys.
Chowrasia, winner of the Panasonic Open 2014, slipped to tied fifth, but can take solace from the fact that he has dropped just one bogey in 36 holes. He had eight birdies and one bogey on day one and he had just one birdie on second day.
Lahiri had seven birdies, the same as first day, but he also had two bogeys on the second.
Promising Indian youngster S Chikkarangappa, who sees Lahiri as his mentor, shot 68 to move into top-10 in 10th place at seven-under.
Arjun Atwal, 72 on first day, added a 67 today to be five-under and tied 26th, while Rashid Khan, two-time winner this year, carded 69 to move to four-under after 36 holes and is now tied 36th. Of the other Indians Rahil Gangjee (71-71) was tied 64th, Chiragh (72-75) was 103rd and Himmat (75-74) was 127th.
Lahiri continued to assert himself with another round that could edge him closer to his third win in the region's premier Tour this year.
While it may not be similar to his opening round where he carded a 65, the Indian is still pleased with his efforts where he traded seven birdies against two bogeys on holes five and 15.
"I'm happy with the way I'm playing. It was not quite as good as it was yesterday but I'm still feeling comfortable on the golf course and the position I'm in," Lahiri said.
"I made a couple of dropped shots today, missed more greens than I did yesterday. But I'm happy with the way I finished, especially with those two birdies in the last four holes to pick myself up," he said.
Buoyed by his recent good form which included securing his card for Europe next year, Dodt is determined to give Lahiri a good run for his money over the weekend.
The Australian's sole victory on the Asian Tour came in India in 2010. But with renewed confidence, Dodt believes he can make a stronger push for another grandstand finish.
"Confidence is a huge thing in golf and if you can ride that momentum, you can go a long way. I feel like I'm in a pretty good spot at the moment so I'll try to push Anirban on the weekend and we'll see where we end up," said Dodt.
At 47, Thaworn showed no signs of letting up as he flew back under the radar with a 67.
The Thai already holds an unprecedented 17 titles on the Asian Tour and is looking forward to breaking more records.
"Who says I'm old? Still young boy," laughed the Thai veteran.
"I'm still enjoying my game every day and that's important. I love my golf and that's what keeps me going which includes trying to get another win again this week."
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