DUBAI: Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee had three birdies in the last six holes for a six-under par 66 and a one stroke lead at the halfway stage of the $2.5-million Dubai Desert Classic on Friday.
The 40-year-old former paratrooper continued the rich vein of form he showed last year when he won the Asian Tour Order of Merit title for an unprecedented third time to get to eight under for the tournament.
That was one clear of a trio comprising European No.1 Lee Westwood, who had a tournament best 65, Spanish veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez, who had a 67, and Welsh journeyman Stephen Dodd, who had a 69.
Defending champion Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland was on six under after a 70, tied with big-hitting Spaniard Alvaro Quiros (69), Marcus Fraser of Australia (68), Edoardo Molinari of Italy (70) and Charl Schwartzel of South Africa (70).
Thongchai’s bogey-free round saw him reach the turn in three-under 32, before he produced his grandstand finish over the home stretch.
He put his improvement in form over the last year down to a strict fitness regime that has seen him overcome severe back problems that laid him low two years ago and to his improved putting.
It was a consummate performance from the 36-year-old Westwood, who clinched the inaugural Race To Dubai title last November by winning the season-finale at the nearby Earth Course.
Asian Tour
In Bangkok, Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat stepped closer to victory in the $300,000, season-opening Asian Tour International Friday but standing in his way was Filipino Mars Pucay.
The 39-year-old Pucay fired a second successive three-under-par 69 at the Suwan Golf and Country Club to share the halfway lead with co-overnight leader Kiradech, who returned a 70 for a six-under-par 138 total.
One shot back is in-form Singaporean Lam Chih Bing, who also carded a 70, while American rookie David Johnson sneaked into contention with another 70 to lie three shots back with Thai duo Thammanoon Srirot and Wisut Artjanawat and Filipino Angelo Que, who shot the day’s best of 67.
Johnson on top
In Pacific Palisades, California, American Dustin Johnson putted masterfully to card a bogey-free seven-under 64 and take a one-shot lead after the first round of the Northern Trust Open on Thursday.
Johnson shot 32 on both the front and back nines on the par- 71 Riviera Country Club course to finish a stroke above Argentina’s Andres Romero and American Kevin Stadler.
