Dodge Kemmer (US) followed up his opening round eight under par 64 with a fine 66 to take a two shot lead in the $2 million International Series Thailand today at Black Mountain Golf Club, in Hua Hin on the Asian Tour.

The 35 year-old, impressively out in front on 14 under, is ahead of two of the giants of golf in Thailand, Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Jazz Janewattananond, who carded 67’s to be 12 under alongside fellow Thai Settee Prakongvech with two 66’s who has a best finish of third at the DGC Open in India in 2022.

He caught the birdie train again today, making eight and dropping just two shots. He was 15 under with two to play but his final bogey of the day came on his penultimate hole.

‘I have been hitting it nicely, struggled on the greens last week, but if I can get a few more of those to fall I will be right in there. It would be great [to win this week], it was tough last year,’ said Kemmer, whose best finish on the Asian Tour is third at the Bangladesh Open in 2017.

Kiradech, the Asian Tour Order of Merit champion 10 years ago and a three-time winner on Tour, got off to a surprisingly slow start, touring his first nine in event par but ripped through the second half in five under.

Jazz, the Tour’s number one in 2019, is enjoying performing well on what is his home course and where he says he rarely performs well in tournaments.

India’s Honey Baisoya came in with a 62, helped by a front nine of eight under par 28, but as preferred lies are being played this week, it could not be counted among the official records.

The cut fell at five under par with 76 players making the cut for the final two rounds.

Dubai based players Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) shot a second round 72 and MG Keyser (RSA), representing Jumeirah Golf Estates, shot a 69, to both miss out on the weekend.

Second Round Leaders (7,551 Yards, Par 72)

1 - D. Kemmer (US) 64, 66 = 130 (-14)2 - K. Aphibarnrat (Thai) 65, 67 = 132 (-12)   - J. Janewattananond (Thai) 65, 67 = 132 (-12)   - S. Prakongvech (Thai) 66, 66 = 132 (-12)