Xiamen: Thailand's Namchok Tantipokhakul shot a one-under-par 71 in the second round yesterday to stay one stroke behind China's Xiao Bowen at the Asian Golf Championship.
Xiao tamed the windy conditions to sign for a commendable 67 and grab a one-shot lead on 138.
The 27-year-old Chinese, who is making his debut on the Asian Tour, took advantage of a solid front-nine 32, highlighted by one eagle and two birdies, to sit atop the leaderboard at the Kaikou Golf Club's West course.
Namchok credited his mental game as he took second place at the US$350,000 event, co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the China Golf Association (CGA) in China for the first time in nine years.
"It's too windy today. The course conditions were difficult, so I'm really happy with a one-under-par finish," said Namchok.
"My highlight of the round was at the par-5 14th. I took a chance with a driver, then laid up with my second shot. My approach to the green was good and the ball ended up just three yards from the hole. I then putted in for birdie."
Xiao said: "I played really well today. I am really happy with the way I played, given the windy conditions.
"This is my first time playing on the Asian Tour. It feels different from playing on the China Tour. I think the standard of play is very high on the Asian Tour.
"If it stays windy like today for the next two days, I will stick to my strategy and hopefully play like how I did today. I have played in the final group before so I won't be nervous if I am playing in one tomorrow.
"I would love to play on the Asian Tour if I get the opportunity. I will definitely go and try out the qualifying school next year. I hope I can get exemptions into the final stage. I just need to be one of the five leading Chinese players on the China Tour Order of Merit. I am still in the running for it."
Australian Marcus Both, a two-time Asian Tour winner, was three shots off the pace in third following a bogey-free 69.
"The round was nice and calm, but when the wind caught up, the course played totally different. Everything has to be done on the fly," Both said.
"I did a pretty good job today. I realised that I was bogey-free when I was at the scoring office, which was pretty nice."
