Chapchai retains lead in second round of SAIL Open

text size

Redington/Getty Images

Chapchai Nirat leads the SAIL Open at 20-under par through two rounds.

GURGAON, India (AP) -- Chapchai Nirat shot a second consecutive 10-under 62 Thursday to extend his lead after the second round of the SAIL Open.

The 25-year-old Thai golfer has a 20-under total of 124, a new Asian Tour record at the halfway mark.

Chapchai is four strokes ahead of Mark Purser of New Zealand, a Tour rookie who shot a 63 Thursday. Thailand's Wisut Artjanawat is another stroke back in third.

Chapchai also shared the Tour's previous halfway record of 17 under with two other players.

Chapchai had 11 birdies and one bogey as he equaled the Classic Golf Resort's course record, which he set, Wednesday.

"I entered this tournament to get some good practice for the European Tour where I'm going to play for the next few months. I didn't know this outing will turn out to be so impressive," Chapchai said.

"The course is very suitable to my game, I can reach all par-5s in two strokes," he said. "The par-4 holes present birdie opportunities because they are pretty open, and my putting has been fantastic."

India's Gaganjeet Bhullar was in fourth place on 131, while pre-tournament favorites Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand (138) and Jyoti Randhawa of India (140) seemed out of contention.