Jaidee charges into the lead at Selangor Masters

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PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA -- Thai star Thongchai Jaidee charged into the clubhouse lead at the Worldwide Selangor Masters on Thursday after breaking the day-old course record with a superb eight-under-par 63 in the second round.

The two-time Asian Tour number one was in irrepressible form at Seri Selangor Golf Club, rolling in one eagle, seven birdies and dropping one bogey for a two-day total of nine-under-par 133.

Malaysian Ben Leong, winner of the last two events on home soil in recent weeks, and compatriot Iain Steel are leading the chasing pack on 136 along with Australian Adam Blyth and Chawalit Plaphol of Thailand.

Leong, who played with Thongchai, shot an outstanding 65 to trail by three strokes while Steel overcame an early double bogey for a second straight 68.

An afternoon downpour which started at 1:40 p.m. forced officials to abandon play for the day at 4:15 p.m. Only 58 players completed their second rounds, with the rest of the field to resume their rounds at 7.50 a.m. on Friday. First-round leader Chinnarat Phadungsil of Thailand, who shot a 64 on Wednesday, was amongst those affected by the adverse weather.

The day, however, belonged to Thongchai, a two-time Malaysian Open champion who calls the country his second home. "I played really well and putted nicely," said the former paratrooper.

"I said earlier in the week that I needed to get my putting right and it has worked well. On this course, I've used a lot of irons and three-wood off the tee and there are good chances on the par fives to make a score."

Starting on the back nine, Thongchai turned in 31 before adding two more birdies on the first and third hole. A big drive on the par five fifth led to his eagle after he stuck a wedge shot from 122 yard to 14 feet of the cup. He birdied the seventh but dropped his only bogey after finding the greenside trap at the par three eighth.

Bidding for his first title since the end of 2006, the eight-time Asian Tour winner feels he is nearly back to his best form after a season which has been curtailed by injuries and illness.

"I will just focus on my own game and try for the best score. I'm feeling very comfortable and if I can keep putting well, I won't be scared of anything. If you miss putts, you lose confidence in the rest of your game," said Thongchai.

One of Thongchai's chief rivals could well be the in-form Leong, who is bidding for his first Asian Tour title. The 22-year-old Malaysian sank seven birdies against a bogey to stay within striking reach of a hat-trick of titles.

"I'm in a good position and hopefully I can keep it this way and be among the leading players heading into the final round on Saturday. I got off to a nice start and my rhythm was good," said Leong.

"I've continued my momentum from the previous events and I'm riding on it now. I hope to keep the rhythm when I head out tomorrow."

Thongchai has predicted a bright future for Leong, who enjoyed a stellar amateur career which included wins in the Putra Cup, the region's foremost championship. "I think he's got a good future ahead. He's showing a lot of confidence in his game right now and he could be one to look out for."

Like Leong, Steel is also chasing a first victory on the Asian Tour and was delighted to be in a good position. The US-based Steel, who won a domestic title at Seri Selangor two years ago, didn't have the best of starts with a double bogey on his third hole but bounced back with five birdies, including a run of three in a row from the 13th hole.

"The course was a bit softer this morning and the pins are a little more susceptible to good scores. I made double early out of the gates and that made me wake up a little bit," said Steel.

Blyth, who won a pro-am event in Australia with a 28-under-par total and by a 15-shot margin on Sunday, was three over through 10 holes but fought back brilliantly with four birdies to stay in the hunt.

"I got off to a rough start. I three putted the first and made a few bogeys early. It was really scrappy but I hung in there and made those birdies on the back nine to get the round back. I guess I can't expect to keep going the way it has been going. I was struggling to get into it mentally. It was good that I finished off well and still have a chance for the weekend," sad Blyth.