A Change of Guard

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Saturday 21 November 2009

Smith surges ahead at Cambodian Open

AFP 20 November 2009,
Times of India

* Welshman Craig Smith

SIEM REAP: Welshman Craig Smith put himself in prime position for his maiden Asian Tour win when he grabbed the second-round lead at the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open on Friday.

Smith opened up a two-stroke halfway advantage after firing a sizzling six-under-par 66 for a two-day total of nine-under-par 135 at the $300,000 full field Asian Tour event.

India's Shiv Kapur, Filipino Artemio Murakami and Thailand's Annop Tangkamolprasert are two strokes behind on 137 at the Phokeethra Country Club.

Overnight leader David Gleeson of Australia, Malaysia's Shaaban Hussin, Will Yanagisawa of the United States and Pariya Junhasavasdikul of Thailand are among the players in tied fifth position, three behind the leader.

Smith brilliantly birdied his final two holes on the eighth and ninth to set him apart from the pack.

"I knew I was tied for the lead coming down those two holes and I managed to hit some good shots to give myself a chance. I only had one bogey on each day so things seem to be falling in quite easily for me. I hope it continues," said Smith.

Kapur, currently in 69th position on the Asian Tour order of merit, hugely boosted his chances of retaining his Tour card when he charged into contention with a superb 67.

Starting from the back nine, Murakami managed only one birdie on his front nine but a 10-foot chip-in for birdie on the third hole sparked further birdies on five and six en route to a 69.

Like Kapur, the bubbly Filipino, ranked 77th on the merit list, is also fighting for his Tour card with two events remaining this season.

A total of 74 players made the cut which was set at two-over-par 146.

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