Inspired Liang Rockets into lead in Indonesia Open presented by Enjoy Jakarta
Jakarta, July 2: China’s Liang Wenchong, unfazed by losing his yardage book on the first tee, took the halfway lead in the US$1 million Indonesia Open presented by Enjoy Jakarta today after firing a pulsating course record equaling eight-under-par 64.
Liang, bidding to win his third OneAsia title, moved to 10-under-par 134 for the tournament and a two shot lead over Australian Anthony Brown.
Brown, the joint first round leader, shot a 69 at Damai Indah Golf - Pantai Indah Kapuk Course.
A stroke further back is Japanese star Shingo Katayama and Michael Hendry from New Zealand.
Katayama, helped by an eagle on the par five 13th, returned a 65 while Hendry came in with a 67.
On the 10th tee, his first hole, Liang and his caddie Ibrahim from Singapore were all set to go before realizing they had lost their yardage book. Ibrahim sprinted back to the clubhouse and was able to find a new one. It appeared the early panic had a negative effect on Liang as he bogeyed the 11th. However, he then produced one his finest ever rounds by making nine birdies.
“My form has been good this year and when my putter works like today then it all comes together. I was a little tired yesterday and could not concentrate. I felt much better today. There was less wind this morning which helped but it was really hot and humid. The key today was also to stay patient,” said the 31-year-old, who fired a 70 on the first day.
He birdied three out of four par fives and birdied three out of four par threes. He peppered the pin with his approach shots and his longest putt for birdie was from 20 feet.
“We could not find the yardage book just before we teed off. We had it on the table in the clubhouse but on the first tee we could not find it. My caddie ran back to the tournament office and quickly got one. It was a minor scare and we quickly got going.”
Liang won the season opening Luxehills Chengdu Open in China on OneAsia in April. He also claimed last year’s Midea China Classic.
Brown, looking for his first win in his six-year career as a professional, made a fast start and was eight under for the tournament after three birdies in the first five holes. However, he was unable to maintain the pace but is well placed going into the weekend.
“Yes I made a great start but on this course it is easy to drop shots. It is a huge challenge but I am delighted to be in such a great position,” said the 27-year-old from Melbourne.
Katayama returned a bogey free round that included five birdies to accompany his eagle.
He is looking for his first win of the season to add to his impressive resume of 26 victories in Japan, where he has won the Money List five times.
“I am learning how to play the course. It is not easy and takes some time to get used to it. To win here would be my first victory overseas so it will be an important weekend,” said Katayama.
The 37-year-old Japanese golfer well known for wearing a cowboy hat recently switched to wearing a pork pie hat as he felt it was more in keeping with his age.
Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant, who won this event in 2005, shot a 68 and is five behind the leader.
Singapore’s Mardan Mamat, another of the pre-tournament favourites, fired a 69 and is six off the lead.
Ayadi Hermawan carded a 73 to lie one under for the tournament and lead the Indonesian challenge. A total of six Indonesians survived the halfway cut at four-over-par 148, which is a record for the Indonesia Open presented by Enjoy Jakarta.
The burgeoning OneAsia will stage 11 tournaments with a total of more than US$12 million in prize money this season.
This week's event will be showcased on OneAsia's television platform with live coverage for four hours a day across all four tournament days, and broadcast to over 260 million homes in more than 40 countries.
Full coverage of this week's event will be available domestically on ESPN Star Sports, as well as internationally on ESPN3.com, Network Ten, America One and Bloomberg Television among others.
Leading second round scores:
(Par 72)
134 – Liang Wenchong (CHN) 70-64
136 – Anthony Brown (AUS) 67-69
137 – Shingo Katayama (JPN) 72-65, Michael Hendry (NZL) 70-67
138 – Hsieh Tung-shu (TPE) 68-70, Anthony Summers (AUS) 68-70, Steven Jones (AUS) 71-67, An Hyun-woo (KOR) 69-69
139 – Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 71-68
140 – Mardan Mamat (SIN) 71-69
- Ends -
About OneAsiaOneAsia is a non-profit organisation developed to maximize elite tournament opportunities in Asia-Pacific. The Founding members of OneAsia are the China Golf Association, the Korea Golf Tour, the Korea Golf Association and the PGA of Australia. The mission of OneAsia is not just to allow the region’s best players to gain access to more events, but to ultimately provide them with an alternative pathway to the PGA Tour and the European Tour, thus retaining the best golfing talent in the region without compromising their development.
For more information, please contact: Janice Lee Fang
PR & Media Manager - OneAsia
Mobile: +65 8268 8155
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Simon Wilson
Media Manager - World Sport Group
Phone: +65 9127 5419
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