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PGA TOUR: Chawalit grabs three-stroke lead at China Open

/noticias.info/ GolfWeb Wire Services

SHENZHEN, China -- Thailand's Chawalit Plaphol took a three-stroke lead after the second round of the China Open on Friday, shooting six birdies over a 5-under-par round of 67.
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Chawalit, who shared the overnight lead at Shenzhen with Frenchman Francois Delamontagne, carded just one bogey to finish at 12-under par, making the most of the Shenzhen Golf Club's par 5s with long, straight drives.

"I birdied all the par 5s today and it's helped me over the last two days," said Chawalit, who, with Delamontagne, set a blistering pace on Thursday with opening rounds of 65.

"The key here is to hit fairways," said the veteran, who is chasing his third professional win. "If I have a chance to attack the course, then I will go for it. Otherwise, I will play it safe when necessary at the weekend."

Delamontagne only managed a 2-under-par 70 to finish tied for second at 9 under alongside promising 25-year-old Englishman Oliver Wilson (67), who was trying to avoid his place on the leaderboard setting off a case of nerves.

"I'm going to the market this afternoon to try and take my mind off things. It's early days and there is a long way to go," said Wilson, who collected seven birdies against two bogeys.

Scotland's Simon Yates shot a 68 to stay in contention at 8 under, followed a stroke back by England's Ross Fisher, who also carded a 68.

Without a blemish after nine holes, Yates fired off a string of three birdies, but soon began to tire. Bogeys then came on Nos. 15 and 18.

Defending champion Stephen Dodd remained well back at 2 under after a 1-under 71.

Past winner Zhang Lianwei, playing on his home course, also shot a 71 to lead the Chinese players at 3 under. Fifteen-year-old qualifier Su Dong missed the cut in his debut appearance on the China Tour, ending at 11 over after a difficult round of 81.

The $1.3 million tournament is the second leg of the 2006 European Tour international schedule and third-to-last event on the 2005 Asian Tour. The tournament moved this year from its former home in Shanghai to Shenzhen. notas_de_prensa_archivo