Sweden's Pelle Edberg continued to make full use of his "local" knowledge to claim a share of the lead at the halfway stage of the True Thailand Classic.
Edberg carded seven birdies and two bogeys to add a 67 to his opening 65 and finish 12 under par, a total matched late in the day by Australian Scott Hend after a brilliant 64.
The 36-year-old is one of seven players in the field to use Black Mountain Golf Club as their winter training base and will have plenty of support as he looks to win his first European Tour title in his 200th event.
“I’m very happy,” said Edberg. “I’m more satisfied with the result today than yesterday. I was playing extremely good yesterday but today I played well, but not as good.
“It was a strong finish. I birdied 15, 16 and 17 and three-putted the last unfortunately for a par. Overall it was a good day.”
Hend only arrived in Thailand at 1am on Wednesday after making the long journey from Miami, where he shot 22 over par to finish 63rd in the 66-man field in the WGC-Cadillac Championship.
However, the 43-year-old showed no ill effects and a change of driver contributed to a round containing six birdies and an eagle to equal the course record.
“It’s good to get into position once again for the weekend,” said Hend, who was joint runner-up 12 months ago. “I like this course, I like the area and I like coming to Thailand as it’s a friendly place.
The heat
Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat is a shot off the lead after a flawless 65, with Scotland’s
Simon Yates
, South Africa’s Shaun Norris, Wales’ Rhys Davies and American duo Peter Uihlein and David Lipsky all on nine under.
Overnight leader Uihlein could only add a 71 to his opening 64. He struggled to cope with the heat and humidity in Hua Hin saying he felt a bit sick and dizzy.
