Thailand lead, India second; Kao leads Chikka by one

BANGALORE - Thailand, the most successful team in the history of Asia Pacific Junior Golf Championship, opened up a five-shot lead over hosts India at the end of the second day at the Eagleton Golf Resort that yielded better scores than the first day.

Thailand continued to assert its supremacy in the team standings among the boys, extending their lead to five shots over India, thanks to a four-under 68 by Poom Saksansin in the second round.

Even as the Thais were basking in the glory, Chinese Taipei’s Teng Kao carded a brilliant round of eight-under 64, playing in the individual category.

Thailand has a total of five-under even as the home team put up an improved showing with both its leading players-Chikkarnagappa and Ashbeer Saini-carding rounds of four-under 68 while Honey Baisoya returned the third best card, four-over 76, to take the hosts’ team total to four-under for the day level par for the tournament.

The Chinese Taipei girls didn’t step off the gas as they held on to the top spot at three-over for the tournament. Thailand replaced Singapore in second spot, one stroke behind the leaders.

Teng Kao, who is not part of the Chinese Taipei Team, enjoyed a birdie-feast, to slip one shot ahead of local favourite Chikkarangappa, at 11-under 133. Chikka put up another spirited display, taking his total to ten-under 134, and well within striking distance of the top spot.

Thailand’s Pavarisa Yoktuan joined Singapore’s Joe-Ee Kok on top spot in Category A in the girls’ section, at one-over 145.