First circuit champion Parinda Phokan fired a 67 to share the lead with the in-form Arpichaya Yubol and talented teenager Chanettee Wannasaen after round two of the Bt2.5 million “SAT-TWT Open” Road to World Ranking at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in Chonburi on Thursday.
Parinda, who beat Arpichaya and 18-year-old Chanettee by two strokes in the previous TWT event at the Lake View Resort and Golf Club in Petchaburi in September, decorated her scorecard with six birdies against a lone bogey on the 14th hole, for the day’s best score. She will head into Friday’s final round on seven under-par 137.
“I didn’t hit my driver and my approach shots well, but I did pretty well with my chip shots and putts to get out of trouble several times,” said the 24-year-old Parinda from Khon Kaen, who eyes back-to-back titles on the TWT Tour.
“I hope to be in good control and not let myself feel under pressure. I will try to give my all tomorrow,” added Parinda who will have a busy Friday, as after the tournament she needs to catch a flight to Korea for the KLPGA Tour Q-School.
After committing two bogeys in the first three holes, Arpichaya rebounded quickly to shoot five birdies for a second round 69 to join the lead.
“I got off to a slow start, not hitting my driver and irons well. I was tense it playing in the leading group. It took me awhile to get my momentum back,” said the 18-year-old from Saraburi, winner of three titles (two local tours and one Thailand Mixed event) this season.
“I hope to go out there and have some fun in the final. I didn’t want to force myself too hard and get myself under pressure like the way I started my round today,” added Arpichaya.
Chanettee, another promising teenager, led at nine under before two successive bogeys on the 17th and 18th holes saw her finish with a 70 and a total of 137. After settling for second in four tournaments (including the first TWT) in 2021, the Chiang Mai born hopes to turn things around.
“I hope to put myself in good position on the greens in order to shoot low scores. I need to be more consistent. Hopefully I will be able to win something,” she said.
A stroke behind at lone fourth was Kusuma Meechai after carding a 69 for a two-round total of 138, a shot ahead of overnight leader Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong who carded a 73.
The cutoff for the final was at nine over-par-153 with a total of 70 players – 60 pros and 10 amateurs moving forward. For live coverage of the final, please log into the THAIWPGA Facebook Page from 9am onwards.
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