Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond shot an inspired course record 10 under-par 62 to take the lead after the second round of the International Series Vietnam today (Friday) at KN Golf Links, in Cam Ranh, on the south-central coast of Vietnam.

Eight birdies, an eagle, and his second successive bogey-free round saw him move to 13 under par for the $2 million event, which gave him a one shot lead over Kieran Vincent.

Course record

Vincent, younger brother of Scott Vincent, last year’s International Series Order of Merit winner, returned a 65, while overnight leader Bai Zhengkai (69) from China, Japan’s Takumi Kanaya (64), recent winner of the International Series Oman, South Korea’s Taehee Lee, Miguel Tabuena from the Philippines currently lying in second place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, and Chapchai Nirat (65) from Thailand are one shot further back in tied third.

England’s Paul Casey, the event’s marquee player, shot a 64, 10 shots better than his first round, to get back in contention on six under for the tournament.

Jazz is coached by Peter Cowen with support from Dubai Golf’s Stephen Deane based in Dubai.

Cowen told GULF NEWS, ‘We were working on some swing drills in Dubai at the start of the year. It is great to see some positive results from Jazz. He is a hugely talented player and just needs to keep up these drills. I am communicating through video calls and swing video exchanges and WhatsApp with both Jazz and Kiradech Aphibarnrat this week, along with a lot of my players. I can stay in Rotherham and pick up balls on my driving range like I have done all this morning, but still connect with my players, wherever they are in the world. That seems to be an acceptable way of modern coaching along with the odd phone call or ZOOM call.’

On concluding his round, Jazz, 27 year-old seven time winner on the Asian Tour said, ‘I hit most of the fairways, most of the greens and holed some putts, that’s about it. I mean, this golf course is a risk and reward golf course, right? If you don’t miss the fairways, it’s not gonna punish you that bad. I only missed a couple of them so far, so that’s why the score reflects that. I had a couple of close calls with the bogeys but managed to have some good putts and hole some big pars.’

Anirban Lahiri was the leading Dubai based player who shot rounds of 69 and 70, to lie at five under par in tied 34th place.

The 36-hole cut fell at three under par with 77 players making the weekend.

Both Shiv Kapur and Jeev Milkha Singh missed the cut on two under, one shot too many. Kapur shot 69 and 73, with Milkha Singh 76 and 66.

Leading Round 2 Scores (7,165 Yards, Par 72)

1 - J. Janewattanond (Thai) 69, 62 (131) -132 - K. Vincent (Zimbabwe) 67, 65 (132) -123 - T. Kanaya (Jap) 69, 64 (133) -11   - C. Nirat (Thai) 68, 65 (133) -11   - B. Zhengkai (China) 64, 69 (133) -11   - T. Lee (South Korea) 65, 68 (133) -11   - M. Tabuena (Phi) 66, 67 (133) -11

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